7 Florida Hot Spots Now Offering Down Payment Assistance to Home Shoppers

Buying a home in the Sunshine State is anything but easy.

Rising interest rates paired with sky-high insurance costs have made it a real struggle for many residents. 

Fortunately, local Florida governments recognize the affordability crisis that is pricing out everyday buyers—and seven towns are offering down payment assistance programs.

“While they can’t fix broader market pressures, these programs do provide structured financial support that helps close the gap between what people earn and what homes cost,” says Monica Rothbaum, COO and senior attorney at J&Y Law, who is licensed in Florida.

Down payment assistance programs in Florida

Each program has its own eligibility requirements, but most of them will forgive your loan after you live in the home for a set number of years. Here’s the scoop on each one:

With the Headstart to Home (H2H) program, you can lock in down payment assistance between $25,000 to $55,000, depending on your income. You’ll get a zero-interest second mortgage with no monthly payments, and your loan will be forgiven over a period of 15 years as long as you remain the owner.

1. Duval County

Note that the second mortgage will not replace your first mortgage—it will be a separate loan you’ll repay only if you sell, refinance, or no longer occupy the home before the 15-year forgiveness period ends.

To qualify, you must be a first-time homebuyer in Jacksonville and your income can’t exceed 80% of the median income in the area, which is $68,447, based on the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

2. Daytona Beach

The city of Daytona Beach offers income-based down payment assistance to attract homebuyers to the area. You may secure up to $40,000 or $50,000, depending on your income.

To be eligible, your liquid assets must be $5,000 or less, not including your personal property, such as cars, furniture, and clothing. Cash, checking and savings accounts, and certificates of deposit (CDs) are a few common examples of liquid assets. 

3. Boca Raton

Even though Boca Raton is known for luxury, the city has SHIP Purchase Assistance Programs for first-time homebuyers. 

Depending on your income, you may be eligible for up to $190,000 in down payment and closing cost support through a deferred 0% interest loan.

4. Deerfield Beach 

The Purchase Assistance Program in Deerfield Beach is designed to help lower-income first-time homebuyers buy a property in the area through up to $70,000 in funding.  These are deferred 0% interest loans that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

To qualify, you must meet very low-, low-, or moderate-income levels set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Low income for a household of four, for example, is around $92,200.

In addition, you need a mortgage pre-approval letter and a relationship with a real estate agent when you apply.

5. Broward County

While other programs require you to buy a home within a smaller region, Broward County’s Home Buyer Purchase Assistance covers many towns, such as Hollywood, Parkland, and Weston. It offers a 0% deferred second mortgage with a 15-year term.

If you take a homebuyer education course, get approved for a mortgage by a participating lender, and find a home in an eligible area that costs no more than $636,806, and meet certain income criteria, you may qualify. 

6. Clearwater

Through the Home Purchase Assistance program in Clearwater, you can land up to $75,000 in down payment assistance, as long as your loan was approved after July 1, 2025. While part of the loan will need to be repaid over time, a lot of it will be deferred for five years and after 25 years, forgiven.  

You don’t need to be a first-time homebuyer, but you do need to take a homebuyer education course and meet specific income requirements. 

7. Miami

The First-Time Homebuyer program in Miami provides deferred loans that go up to $70,000. You may take advantage of it if you haven’t owned a home in the past three years, have a household income less than 80% of the median income (adjusted for family size), and come up with at least $500 to cover the down payment and closing costs.

Additionally, your home price can’t exceed $494,000.

Expert tips for Florida homebuyers

While buying a home in Florida is challenging, it’s not impossible. These strategies can make it easier:

Do your research 

The key is to research down payment program details early, then make sure you align your home search with the eligibility terms—instead of going about it the other way around. 

“That preparation can mean the difference between a smooth closing and missing out on what could be your dream home,” says Rothbaum.

Find local real estate agents

Get in touch with local real estate agents who can guide you through the homebuying process. Many of them are familiar with down payment assistance programs and can help you determine which ones you might qualify for.

Don’t wait

These programs have limited funds available, which means they’re usually first-come, first-served. 

“Once the program funds are depleted, there are no assurances of a replacement program, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly,” says Craig Garcia, president at Capital Partners Mortgage in Pompano Beach, FL.

Think long-term

While homeownership may seem daunting right now, it remains one of the primary ways families build long-term financial stability. 

“Each payment has the potential to build equity, and over time, that equity may support future moves or even help your kids buy their own home,” explains Miki Adams, president at CBC Mortgage Agency.