What is the maximum down payment assistance available in Florida?

The maximum varies by program. Hometown Heroes offers up to 5% of the loan amount (max $35,000). Orange County's local program can provide up to $40,000-$50,000 in forgivable assistance. Some buyers may be able to stack state and local programs.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get down payment assistance in Florida?

Not always. Hometown Heroes does not require first-time buyer status if you work in an eligible occupation. Salute Our Soldiers does not require it for military members. VA loan borrowers are also exempt from the first-time requirement on FL Assist and FL HLP programs.

What credit score do I need for Florida DPA programs?

Most Florida Housing DPA programs require a minimum 640 FICO score. This applies to Hometown Heroes, FL Assist, FL HLP, and the PLUS TBA program.

Can I use down payment assistance with a VA loan in Florida?

Yes. FL Assist, FL HLP, Hometown Heroes, and Salute Our Soldiers all work with VA loans. VA borrowers are also exempt from the first-time homebuyer requirement on most programs.

How much down payment assistance is available in Orlando?

Orlando-area buyers have access to state programs (up to $35,000 through Hometown Heroes) plus local programs. Orange County offers up to $40,000-$50,000 in forgivable DPA. The City of Orlando has its own program as well, though availability varies by funding cycle.

Down Payment Assistance Programs in Florida (2026) | Orlando Focus

Florida buyers do not automatically need 20% down. State and local assistance programs may help with upfront costs, but the program structure, eligibility, funding, and interest-rate offering depend on the current rate sheet and the borrower’s full file.

This guide includes the verified July 16, 2026 Florida Housing rate offerings for statewide programs. They are program lock-rate offerings, not guaranteed borrower-specific quotes. Local programs operate on separate funding cycles and must be verified directly before a buyer relies on them.

Florida Statewide DPA Programs

These programs are administered through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The following rate offerings were verified from the live DrMortgageUSA DPA rate feed on July 16, 2026, sourced from eHousingPlus.

Current July 2026 Florida Housing Rate Offerings

Business-day program offerings, not a commitment to lend. Pricing, eligibility, income limits, loan approval, and availability remain subject to the current Florida Housing and lender requirements.

Program / loan type	Current offering
Standard Bond, FHA / VA / USDA-RD	7.000%
Standard Bond, Fannie Mae HFA Preferred	7.500%
Standard Bond, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage	7.250%
Standard TBA, FHA / VA / USDA-RD	7.125%
Standard TBA, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage	7.250% at or below 80% AMI, 7.250% over 80% AMI
PLUS TBA, 3% / 4% / 5% DPA at or below 80% AMI	7.000% / 7.250% / 7.625%
PLUS TBA, 3% / 4% / 5% DPA over 80% AMI	7.250% / 7.375% / 7.750%
Hometown Heroes Bond, FHA / VA / USDA-RD	6.250%
Hometown Heroes Bond, Fannie / Freddie	6.750% / 6.500%
Hometown Heroes TBA, FHA / VA / USDA-RD	6.500%
Hometown Heroes TBA, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage	6.625% at or below 80% AMI, 6.750% over 80% AMI

Hometown Heroes funding notice: Over $45 million available in 2026 DPA. An existing reservation may not be switched to Hometown Heroes.

Check the live DPA rate board before you quote or lock a program.

Hometown Heroes

Best overall DPA program in Florida.

DPA Amount: Up to 5% of the first mortgage (max $35,000)
DPA Type: 0% deferred second mortgage, not forgivable and no monthly payment while the first mortgage remains in place.
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
Minimum FICO: 640
First-Time Buyer Required: No. Occupation-based eligibility.
Current rate offerings: See the July 2026 rate table above. Bond and TBA executions have different pricing.

Hometown Heroes is the best DPA option for most Florida buyers. It offers the highest assistance amount, the lowest interest rates, and does not require you to be a first-time homebuyer.

Eligibility is based on your occupation. Over 50 professions qualify, including teachers, nurses, law enforcement, firefighters, childcare workers, healthcare workers, and active military. If you work full-time for a Florida employer in one of these categories, you likely qualify.

Hometown Heroes funding is limited. The July 16, 2026 Florida Housing notice states that more than $45 million is available in 2026 Hometown Heroes DPA. That is an availability statement, not an exact live balance, and an existing reservation may not be switched to Hometown Heroes.

FL Assist ($10,000)

DPA Amount: $10,000 flat
DPA Type: 0% interest, deferred (no monthly payment)
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
Minimum FICO: 640
First-Time Buyer Required: Yes (VA and targeted census tract borrowers exempt)
Current rate offerings: See the July 2026 Standard Bond and Standard TBA rates above.

FL Assist is the simplest DPA option. You receive $10,000 as a deferred second mortgage with no interest and no monthly payment. The balance is due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.

This is a good fit for buyers who need clean, no-payment assistance and whose DTI ratio is tight. The $10,000 does not add to your monthly obligations.

FL HLP ($12,500)

DPA Amount: $12,500 flat
DPA Type: 3% interest, 15-year amortizing second mortgage (approximately $86/month)
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
Minimum FICO: 640
First-Time Buyer Required: Yes (VA and targeted census tract borrowers exempt)
Current rate offerings: See the July 2026 Standard Bond and Standard TBA rates above.

FL HLP gives you $2,500 more than FL Assist but comes with a monthly payment of approximately $86. That payment counts against your debt-to-income ratio. Choose HLP over FL Assist only if the extra $2,500 makes a meaningful difference in your transaction and your DTI can absorb the payment.

PLUS TBA (3% to 5% Flexible DPA)

DPA Amount: 3% to 5% of the loan amount (flexible)
DPA Type: Forgivable assistance based on total loan amount. Confirm the current program terms before locking.
Loan Types: Conventional only (Freddie Mac HFA Advantage)
Minimum FICO: 640
First-Time Buyer Required: Yes
Current rate offerings: See the July 2026 PLUS TBA rates above, which vary by DPA percentage and AMI tier.

PLUS TBA is the flexible option. You choose how much DPA you need between 3% and 5%. The trade-off is higher rates compared to other programs, and it only works with Freddie Mac conventional loans. Best for buyers who need slightly more than $10,000-$12,500 but do not qualify for Hometown Heroes.

Salute Our Soldiers

DPA Amount: $10,000 or $12,500 (same as FL Assist or FL HLP)
DPA Type: Same structure as FL Assist or FL HLP
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
Minimum FICO: 640
First-Time Buyer Required: No (military only)

Salute Our Soldiers is the military-specific version of the standard FL Housing programs. The key advantage: no first-time buyer requirement. However, Hometown Heroes typically offers better rates and higher DPA for military buyers, so compare both before committing.

Orlando Area Local DPA Programs

Buyers in the Orlando metro area have access to local programs that can provide significantly more assistance than the state programs alone. In some cases, these programs can be stacked on top of a Florida Housing first mortgage.

Orange County Down Payment Assistance

DPA Amount: Up to $40,000 to $50,000
DPA Type: Forgivable over 5 to 10 years
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
First-Time Buyer Required: Yes
Residency: Must purchase in Orange County
Contact: Orange County Housing and Community Development, (407) 836-5150

Funding is cyclical and availability changes. Contact the county directly for current status.

Orange County's local DPA is one of the most generous programs in the state. Up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance means you could own a home with little to no money out of pocket. The forgiveness period is typically 5 to 10 years. If you stay in the home for the full period, the assistance is completely forgiven.

City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance

DPA Amount: Up to $45,000
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers, income-eligible, must purchase within Orlando city limits
Residency: 12 months in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia, or Brevard County
Requirements: HUD-approved homebuyer education, city-registered lender, minimum $1,000 borrower contribution
Contact: City of Orlando Housing Division

Availability, funding, current income limits, and application status must be verified directly with the City of Orlando before a buyer relies on this program.

Osceola County Down Payment Assistance

DPA Amount: Up to $30,000 to $40,000
DPA Type: Forgivable or deferred (varies by program cycle)
Loan Types: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
First-Time Buyer Required: Yes
Residency: Must purchase in Osceola County
Contact: Osceola County Community Development, (407) 742-8400

Funding is limited. Contact Osceola County directly for current availability and income limits.

Which Program Should You Use?

The right program depends on your occupation, military status, location, and whether you have owned a home in the last three years. Here is how to narrow it down.

Start here:

1. Check Hometown Heroes first. If your occupation qualifies, this is often one of the strongest options. Pricing, assistance amount, and eligibility depend on current program guidelines.
2. Military or veteran? Compare Hometown Heroes against Salute Our Soldiers. Hometown Heroes usually wins on rate and DPA amount.
3. First-time buyer, not eligible for Hometown Heroes? FL Assist ($10,000, no payment) or FL HLP ($12,500, has a payment). Choose based on whether your DTI can handle $86/month.
4. Need more than $12,500? PLUS TBA offers up to 5% on conventional loans.
5. Buying in Orange or Osceola County? Check local programs first. County DPA can be $30,000 to $50,000 and may stack with a state program.

Can You Stack DPA Programs?

Combination	Allowed?
FL Assist + FL HLP	No
Hometown Heroes + FL Assist or HLP	No
State program + Orange/Osceola County DPA	Possibly (verify with lender and county)
State program + employer assistance	Yes
State program + gift funds	Yes
Two state DPA programs	No

Common Mistakes That Disqualify Buyers

1. No purchase contract before locking. You must have a fully executed contract before your lender can reserve DPA funds. Lakeview (the servicer) will not purchase the loan without it.
2. Missing the 60-day delivery window. From reservation to loan purchase, you have 60 days. If your closing takes longer, the reservation expires.
3. Misunderstanding first-time buyer. First-time means no ownership interest in any residential property in the prior three years. This applies to all borrowers on the loan.
4. Ignoring household income limits. Some programs count all adults in the household, not just the borrowers on the loan. Ask your loan officer to verify.
5. Skipping homebuyer education. Every Florida Housing DPA program requires completion of a homebuyer education course before closing. Framework or eHome America are the approved options.
6. Not accounting for HLP in DTI. If you choose the $12,500 HLP, the $86/month payment counts against your debt-to-income ratio. Plan accordingly.
7. Assuming county funds are always available. Orange and Osceola County programs run on limited funding cycles. Availability can change month to month.

Find Out What You Qualify For

Every buyer's situation is different. Your occupation, credit score, income, purchase location, and military status all determine which programs you can access and which combination gives you the best deal.

I work with every Florida Housing DPA program and both Orange and Osceola County local programs. If there is money available for your situation, I will find it.

Ready to see what you qualify for?

No cost, no obligation. I will tell you exactly which programs fit your situation.

(850) 346-8514 Apply Online

Dennis Ross | NMLS #2018381 | Home 1st Lending

Key Contacts and Resources

eHousingPlus (rate locks and reservations): ehousingplus.com
Florida Housing Finance Corp: floridahousing.org
Orange County Housing: (407) 836-5150
Osceola County Community Development: (407) 742-8400
Homebuyer Education: Framework or eHome America