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First-Time Buyers • June 5, 2025
First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida (2026 Guide)
Florida has some of the best down payment assistance programs in the country — most first-time buyers have no idea they qualify.
Most first-time homebuyers in Florida think the biggest obstacle is the down payment. What they don't know is that Florida has multiple state-backed programs designed to help with exactly that — and some of them are among the most generous in the country.
Here's a breakdown of the major programs available to Florida first-time buyers in 2026.
Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program. This is the standout program right now. If you work as a teacher, nurse, firefighter, police officer, healthcare worker, active military member, or veteran, you may qualify for up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance at 0% interest with no monthly payment. Funds are released in rounds — the next round opens July 13, 2026, and previous rounds have been exhausted in as little as 3 weeks. Getting pre-approved before the window opens is critical.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation — FL First and HFA Preferred. Florida Housing offers 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages at below-market rates for income-qualified buyers. These programs can be paired with the Florida Assist second mortgage for additional down payment help.
Florida Assist Second Mortgage. This provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a 0%, non-amortizing second mortgage. No monthly payments — the balance is due only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. It can be stacked on top of FL First or HFA Preferred loans.
SHIP — State Housing Initiatives Partnership. SHIP is administered at the county level and provides additional down payment and closing cost assistance. Amounts vary by county, and some Florida counties offer very generous SHIP grants or soft seconds on top of state programs.
VA + Hometown Heroes — the best combination available. Veterans and active military members can combine a $0-down VA purchase loan with Hometown Heroes closing cost assistance. In many cases this results in essentially zero out-of-pocket cost at closing. Veterans also get relaxed eligibility rules — no first-time buyer requirement, no employment hours requirement.
These programs have income limits, purchase price limits, and homebuyer education requirements. They also move fast — funding can run out mid-year. The right time to look into them is before you find the house, not after you're under contract.
I'm licensed in Florida and work with these programs regularly. If you're a first-time buyer in Florida and you're not sure whether you qualify, let's find out together. Book a free 30-minute call and I'll walk you through exactly what's available in your county.
Jason L. Esposito | NMLS# 308764 | Lokation Mortgage | NMLS# 2682974 | Licensed in FL | Equal Housing Opportunity. Not a commitment to lend.