Florida first-time buyers in 2026 have more access to down payment assistance in Florida than many realize, and most of it comes through programs administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing), the state’s official affordable housing agency. From the Florida Assist deferred second mortgage to outright grants that never require repayment, this guide covers every statewide program available to Florida buyers in 2026 and explains how Dynamic Funding Solutions (NMLS #17144) helps buyers across Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Tampa Bay, and Orlando access them.
Down payment assistance programs reduce the single biggest barrier to homeownership, the upfront cash requirement. In Florida, where median home prices have risen significantly over the past several years, these programs can mean the difference between renting indefinitely and closing on a home this year.
Down Payment Assistance Florida 2026: Programs Through Florida Housing Finance Corporation
The Florida Housing Finance Corporation [Source: floridahousing.org] is the state-chartered agency that administers Florida’s primary affordable homeownership programs. All Florida Housing down payment assistance programs are accessed through participating mortgage lenders, you cannot apply directly to Florida Housing. Dynamic Funding Solutions is a licensed Florida mortgage broker and can originate Florida Housing first mortgages paired with the DPA programs listed below.
Important: income limits and purchase price limits apply to all Florida Housing programs. These limits vary by county and change periodically. Contact Dynamic Funding Solutions at (561) 247-4888 for current limits applicable to your county and household size.
Florida Assist: Up to $10,000 in Deferred Down Payment Assistance
The Florida Assist program provides up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment [Source: floridahousing.org]. The loan is deferred, it becomes due only when you sell the home, refinance, transfer the title, or no longer occupy the property as your primary residence. Florida Assist does not forgive over time; the full amount is due at the triggering event.
Florida Assist is paired with a Florida Housing first mortgage (either an HFA Preferred conventional loan or a government-backed FHA, VA, or USDA loan). Buyers use the $10,000 assistance for down payment, closing costs, or both. For a buyer using an FHA loan with 3.5% down on a $285,000 home, the required down payment would be approximately $9,975, which Florida Assist can cover almost entirely.
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP): $10,000 at 3% With Monthly Payments
The Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) also provides up to $10,000 in second mortgage assistance, but unlike Florida Assist, FL HLP is a repayable loan at 3% interest with a 15-year amortization schedule [Source: floridahousing.org]. This means borrowers make a small monthly payment on the FL HLP second mortgage in addition to their first mortgage payment. The FL HLP balance is also due upon sale, refinance, or change of occupancy.
The FL HLP is typically used when a buyer needs assistance but also plans to sell or refinance within a few years, or when combined with another layer of assistance. Dynamic Funding Solutions will review both the Florida Assist and FL HLP options to determine which fits your payment budget and long-term plan.
HFA Preferred Grant: 3-5% of Purchase Price, No Repayment Required
The HFA Preferred Grant (and its government-loan counterpart, the HFA Advantage Grant) provides 3%, 4%, or 5% of the home’s purchase price as a true grant, money that does not need to be repaid under any circumstances [Source: floridahousing.org]. This is the most valuable form of assistance for buyers who plan to stay in their home long-term and want to eliminate all secondary loan obligations.
HFA Preferred Grants must be paired with a Florida Housing HFA Preferred conventional first mortgage (which requires private mortgage insurance for down payments below 20%). The grant percentage is selected at the time of loan application and is fixed for the life of the transaction. On a $300,000 home, a 5% grant equals $15,000 in assistance, delivered at closing with no repayment obligation.
Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program: DPA for Florida’s Veterans and Active Duty
Florida’s Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program provides active-duty military members, veterans, and National Guard members with a below-market rate VA loan paired with down payment assistance [Source: floridahousing.org]. The program is designed to make VA loan homeownership more accessible for Florida’s substantial military population, the state is home to numerous active installations including MacDill Air Force Base, NAS Jacksonville, and NSB Kings Bay.
The program pairs a Florida Housing first mortgage at a competitive rate with either Florida Assist or FL HLP second mortgage assistance, maximizing the VA loan benefit (zero down payment) while also providing closing cost coverage. Eligible borrowers must meet VA entitlement requirements and Florida Housing income and purchase price limits.
How Do I Apply for Down Payment Assistance in Florida 2026?
Florida Housing DPA programs are applied for through your mortgage lender, not through the state agency directly. The process works as follows: you apply for a Florida Housing first mortgage with Dynamic Funding Solutions; we determine which DPA programs you qualify for based on income, purchase price, location, and loan type; and we submit the combined first mortgage and DPA application to Florida Housing’s participating lender system. You do not file separate applications for each program.
The most important step is completing a HUD-approved homebuyer education course, which is required for all Florida Housing programs. This can typically be completed online in a few hours. Contact Dynamic Funding Solutions early in your home search, before you are under contract, to ensure all program requirements are met on time. See our first-time home buyer program guide for a step-by-step overview of the process.
Florida Markets Served by Dynamic Funding Solutions
Dynamic Funding Solutions is licensed in Florida and serves buyers throughout the state, with particular experience in South Florida’s Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, as well as the Tampa Bay and Orlando metropolitan areas. Whether you are purchasing in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Boca Raton, Tampa, or Orlando, Lena Polnet (NMLS #17225) can help you identify the full package of Florida Housing programs available in your county.
For additional guidance on first-time buyer programs and how DPA assistance layers with FHA and conventional loans, visit our contact page or call the Florida direct line listed below.
EEAT: Licensed Florida Mortgage Broker, Dynamic Funding Solutions
Lena Polnet (NMLS #17225) is the licensed mortgage broker at Dynamic Funding Solutions (NMLS #17144), with offices in Huntingdon Valley, PA and serving the Florida market directly. Dynamic Funding Solutions is licensed in both Pennsylvania and Florida, and maintains active participation in Florida Housing Finance Corporation programs. With experience across FHA, VA, conventional, and Non-QM loan products in both states, Lena brings the cross-market expertise Florida buyers need when navigating a program landscape that changes annually. All program details in this post are sourced directly from floridahousing.org and verified as of 2025 publication date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance programs are available in Florida in 2026?
Florida’s primary statewide down payment assistance programs in 2026 are administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and include: Florida Assist (up to $10,000 deferred second mortgage at 0% interest), the Florida Homeownership Loan Program / FL HLP ($10,000 at 3% interest over 15 years), and the HFA Preferred Grant (3 to 5% of purchase price as a true grant requiring no repayment). Veterans and active-duty service members may also qualify for the Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program, which pairs VA financing with DPA assistance. Income limits, purchase price limits, and program availability vary by county [Source: floridahousing.org].
Do Florida down payment assistance programs need to be repaid?
It depends on the program. The Florida Assist second mortgage is deferred (0% interest, no monthly payment) but must be repaid in full when you sell, refinance, or no longer occupy the home as your primary residence. The FL HLP requires monthly payments at 3% interest over 15 years and is also due upon sale or refinance. The HFA Preferred Grant is a true grant, it does not need to be repaid under any circumstances [Source: floridahousing.org]. Dynamic Funding Solutions reviews all three options with each buyer to select the program that best fits their financial plan and expected time horizon in the home.
Can I use Florida down payment assistance with an FHA loan?
Yes. Florida Assist and the FL HLP second mortgage programs are compatible with Florida Housing FHA, VA, and USDA first mortgage products. This means a buyer using an FHA loan with 3.5% down can stack Florida Assist assistance to reduce or eliminate their out-of-pocket down payment, subject to income and purchase price limits. The HFA Preferred Grant is specifically paired with Florida Housing’s HFA Preferred conventional first mortgage, not FHA. Dynamic Funding Solutions will identify which combination of programs maximizes your assistance for your specific loan type and financial profile.
What are the income limits for Florida Housing down payment assistance programs?
Income limits for Florida Housing DPA programs vary by county and household size, and are updated periodically by Florida Housing Finance Corporation [Source: floridahousing.org]. Because these limits change and differ significantly between high-cost counties (Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward) and more affordable markets (Polk, Volusia), Dynamic Funding Solutions recommends contacting us directly at (561) 247-4888 for current limits applicable to your county and household size. Providing your household income, household size, and target county allows us to give you a precise eligibility determination.
Is the Salute Our Soldiers program still available for Florida veterans in 2026?
The Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan Program is administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation and provides eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard members with a VA first mortgage paired with down payment and closing cost assistance [Source: floridahousing.org]. Program availability and funding are subject to Florida Housing’s allocation decisions, and availability can vary. Dynamic Funding Solutions verifies current program availability and funding status at the time of each application. Eligible borrowers must meet VA entitlement requirements as well as Florida Housing income and purchase price limits.
Florida Down Payment Assistance 2026, Find Out What You Qualify For
Dynamic Funding Solutions (NMLS #17144). Lena Polnet (NMLS #17225) serves Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Tampa Bay, and Orlando. Call our Florida direct line for current income limits and program availability.