Down payment assistance in Florida
Florida's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Deferred loan- Maximum assistance
- Up to $10,000 as a 0% second mortgage
- Income limit
- Up to county-specific cap (typically ~$95,000-$130,000)
- Home price limit
- Up to county-specific cap (typically ~$460,000)
- First-time buyer
- Required
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- •0% deferred - no monthly payment, repaid on sale/refi/payoff.
- •FL also offers HFA Preferred (3% or 4% grant) and Florida HLP ($10k forgivable).
- •Hometown Heroes program adds extra DPA for teachers, nurses, first responders.
How Florida DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Florida's Florida Assist (FL Assist) pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Florida's primary statewide DPA is Florida Assist (FL Assist) from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Up to $10,000 as a 0% second mortgage. Many Florida cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
Yes. The Florida Assist (FL Assist) requires that you have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. Veterans and target-area buyers are sometimes exempt.
Yes. Florida Assist (FL Assist) works with these loan types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
Usually no. Deferred and forgivable loans typically have no monthly payment, so most lenders do not include them in your DTI calculation.
Deferred and second-mortgage DPAs are generally repaid in full when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.