Florida First-Time Home Buyer Grants & Programs (2026): Up to $35,000 in Help
Last updated June 11, 2026 · Written by Keith Meredith, Florida mortgage broker · NMLS #303217
Florida first-time home buyers in 2026 can get up to $35,000 through the Hometown Heroes program, up to $10,000 through Florida Assist and a forgivable 3–5% HFA PLUS grant — and several of these programs can be stacked on a single purchase with an FHA, conventional, USDA, or VA first mortgage.
Florida has more first-time buyer help than almost any state — the problem is it's scattered across a dozen websites, the programs stack in confusing ways, and most loan officers only mention the one or two they happen to use. I work with all of them. Here's the complete 2026 picture, in plain English, with the part nobody tells you: which programs actually combine.
The two myths that cost Florida buyers the most: "I'm not a first-time buyer" (it usually just means you haven't owned in 3 years) and "I make too much" (income limits are per-county and often reach well into six figures for a household). Check before you count yourself out.
The Big One: Florida Hometown Heroes — Up to $35,000
If you work in healthcare, a K-12 school, public safety, childcare, the courts, or the military — start here. Hometown Heroes provides up to 5% of your first mortgage (capped at $35,000) toward down payment and closing costs, as a 0%-interest second mortgage you don't repay until you sell, refinance, or pay off the home. As of July 2025 the program is occupation-based again: eligible roles include healthcare workers (50+ roles, from CNAs to physicians), K-12 school staff, first responders, public safety and court employees, childcare workers, and active military — and veterans qualify even if they aren't first-time buyers. Your employer must be Florida-based. The catch: funds are released in cycles and run out fast — they're exhausted right now — the state approved $50 million on May 29, with new funds available July 1, 2026 — and the people who get them are the ones already pre-approved when the money drops.
Florida Housing's Down Payment Programs
Through the state housing agency, eligible buyers using an approved first mortgage can pair one of these second mortgages:
| Program | Amount | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Up to $10,000 | 0% interest, repaid only when you sell, refinance, or move out |
| FL HLP Second | Up to $10,000 | Low-rate second with a small monthly payment |
| HFA Preferred/Advantage PLUS | 3%, 4%, or 5% | Forgivable grant — forgiven over five years |
Most of these want a 640+ credit score. "First-time buyer" here almost always means you haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years — so previous owners frequently qualify again.
Still Seeing the "MCC Tax Credit" Advertised? It's Gone.
Plenty of mortgage sites still pitch Florida's Mortgage Credit Certificate — a recurring federal tax credit on your mortgage interest. Here's the truth they haven't updated: Florida discontinued the MCC program. If a lender dangles it, they're working from an old playbook. The help that exists today — Hometown Heroes, Florida Assist, HFA grants, and county SHIP funds — is what this guide covers, and frankly the upfront-money programs do more for most buyers anyway.
County & City Programs (SHIP Funds)
Nearly every Florida county runs its own purchase-assistance program through SHIP — Marion, Orange, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Duval, Miami-Dade, and the rest. Amounts and rules vary by county and funding cycle, and they sometimes stack on top of the state programs above. Ask me what's currently funded where you're buying, and see our Florida down payment assistance guide.
The Low-Down-Payment Loans Underneath It All
Assistance rides on top of a first mortgage. The usual pairings:
FHA — 3.5% down, 580+ credit, the most forgiving guidelines. Conventional — just 3% down with reduced mortgage insurance. USDA — $0 down in eligible areas. VA — $0 down for veterans and active military.
Keith's take
Here's the stack I reach for most: an FHA first mortgage + Hometown Heroes covering the down payment and most closing costs + seller concessions picking up the rest. Done right, a qualified Florida buyer gets in for very little out of pocket. No single website shows you that combination — that's the actual reason to use a broker for your first purchase.
The bottom line
The money is real and it's substantial — but it comes and goes during the year, every program has different limits, and not every lender offers every one. Get pre-approved first; that's what lets you grab Hometown Heroes the moment a cycle opens instead of watching it run dry.
Find every dollar you qualify for
Tell me your county, your household income, and your timeline. I'll map out the exact stack of programs you can use — for free, with no credit pull on the first call.
Florida First-Time Buyer FAQ
Do I have to repay first-time buyer assistance?
It depends on the program. Hometown Heroes and FL Assist are deferred — repaid only when you sell or refinance. The PLUS grant is forgiven over five years. FL HLP carries a small monthly payment. None of them is a payment you have to start making at closing.
What credit score do I need?
Most Florida Housing assistance programs want 640+. The FHA first mortgage itself can go lower — FHA allows 580 for 3.5% down. If you're below that, I'll give you a plan to get there.
Am I still a "first-time buyer" if I owned a home before?
Usually, yes. For most of these programs, "first-time buyer" means you haven't owned a primary residence in the last three years. Plenty of past owners qualify again.
Can I combine more than one program?
Often, yes — and that's where the real savings are. A common stack is FHA + Hometown Heroes + seller-paid closing costs. The rules on what combines change with funding cycles, so it's worth a quick call to confirm what's available for you right now.
How do I actually start?
Get pre-approved with a lender who works with Florida Housing programs — that's us. Pre-approval is what lets you claim Hometown Heroes funds the instant a cycle opens.
What is the $10,000 grant for Florida homeowners?
That phrase almost always refers to Florida Assist — up to $10,000 as a 0%-interest deferred second mortgage for buyers — or its sibling, the FL HLP $10,000 second with a small monthly payment. Neither is technically a “grant” (they’re repaid when you sell or refinance), but no monthly cost on FL Assist makes it function like one while you own the home.
Who qualifies for the $25,000 first-time homebuyer grant?
Careful with this one: Florida has no $25,000 state grant. That number usually refers to a federal proposal that has not become law, or to one-off county SHIP awards that vary by county and cycle. Florida’s real, funded programs are Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000), FL Assist ($10,000), and the forgivable 3–5% PLUS grant — all covered above.
Program amounts, income limits, and funding availability change between cycles. Figures reflect early 2026 — confirm current details with us before you rely on them.
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