First Time Home Buyers in Florida? You Can Get Help.
Affordable Housing Programs for First-Time Homebuyers in Florida
1. Down Payment Assistance Programs:
- Florida Assist Loan Program: Offers a 0% interest second mortgage as down payment assistance. Repayment is required when you pay off your primary mortgage or move.
- HFA Preferred PLUS Grant: Provides a non-repayable grant of up to 3% of the home purchase price for FHA Preferred PLUS loans.
2. USDA Mortgage Program:
- Designed for low-income residents, offering a zero-down mortgage. Specific financial requirements and the home must be in a rural area.
3. FHA Preferred Conventional Loan Programs:
- Backed by Fannie Mae, reducing mortgage insurance costs for first-time homebuyers.
4. Mortgage Credit Certificate Program:
- Offers an Annual Federal Tax credit of up to $2,000 for every year of mortgage interest payments.
5. Veterans & Military Programs:
- Florida First & Military Heroes Program: Provides reduced-interest-rate loans for military personnel.
- VA-Backed Loan: Offers benefits such as lower down payments, better rates, and lower closing costs.
County-Specific First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida
1. Alachua County:
- Assistance from Gainesville Housing Division for down payment, closing costs, and mortgage rates.
2. Brevard County:
- Brevard County offers a $2,500 grant for down payment assistance through Housing and Human Services.
3. Broward County:
- Broward County Housing and Community Development Department provides assistance programs for low-income and poor-credit homebuyers.
- Broward County Housing Authority offers grants for closing costs.
4. Calhoun County:
- Building department assistance for closing costs and down payment.
5. Charlotte County:
- Limited funding for down payment and closing cost assistance through the Housing Corporation of Charlotte County.
6. Citrus County:
- Citrus County Housing Services Division aids with down payment and mortgage rate assistance.
7. Collier County:
- The City of Naples assists with down payment assistance.
8. Duval County:
- Jacksonville Housing Commission provides down payment assistance.
9. Hernando County:
- Hernando County Housing Authority helps with down payment and closing costs.
10. Highlands County:
- Highlands County Housing offers down payment assistance and credit toward closing costs.
11. Hillsborough County:
- City of Tampa Housing and Community Development provides down payment and closing cost assistance.
- Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Department helps find affordable housing and financing.
12. Indian River County:
- Indian River County Community Development Department assists with homebuyer programs and financing.
13. Lake County:
- City of Leesburg Housing and Economic Development Division aids first-time homebuyers with down payment.
14. Lee County:
- Lee County Department of Human Services offers homebuyer assistance.
- Lee County Department of Community Development provides down payment assistance.
15. Leon County:
- The City of Tallahassee Neighborhood and Community Services Department assists in finding homes and financing.
16. Manatee County:
- Manatee County Housing and Community Development provides housing assistance and credit counseling.
17. Marion County:
- City of Ocala Community Programs Department aids low-income first-time homebuyers.
18. Miami-Dade County:
- Multiple agencies offer down payment assistance grants for homebuyers in the Miami area.
19. Monroe County:
- Monroe County offers grants to save on down payment and closing costs.
20. Orange County:
- Orange County Housing & Community Development offers assistance to homebuyers and upgrading homes.
- The City of Orlando‘s development corporation provides various programs, including 100% down payment assistance.
21. Osceola County:
- Osceola County Housing Office assists with down payments.
22. Palm Beach County:
- Various agencies, including the City of Boca Raton and the Housing Finance Authority, offer down payment assistance.
23. Pasco County:
- Pasco County Community Development Division helps save on home purchases for low and moderate-income individuals.
24. Pinellas County:
- The City of Clearwater and the Pinellas County Community Development Department offer down payment and closing cost assistance.
25. Sarasota County:
- Sarasota City and County Housing and Community Development assist in finding homes at special prices.
26. Seminole County:
- Seminole County Community assists with down payment and offers resources for necessities.
27. St. Lucie County:
- St. Lucie County’s Community Services Division provides down payment grants and helps with closing costs.
- Ft. Pierce Community Development Division offers down payment grants for low-income homebuyers.
28. Sumter County:
- Sumter County Housing Department assists with down payment and closing costs.
29. Volusia County:
- Volusia County Housing Department aids in the home search and offers credit counseling.
- Daytona Beach Community Development provides down payment assistance.
30. Mid-Florida Housing Partnership:
- Mid-Florida Housing Partnership assists potential homeowners in Florida.
These programs aim to make homeownership more accessible for low-income individuals, providing various forms of financial aid and support throughout the homebuying process. Eligibility criteria and available assistance may vary by location.