Florida Homebuyer Programs by County: A Complete Overview

What you'll learn

• How Florida's statewide housing programs work as a foundation
• What county-level programs layer on top of state assistance
• Income, purchase price, and credit score requirements by area
• Which counties have the most generous local assistance
• How to find and apply for the right program combination in your county

Table of contents

• Florida's statewide program foundation
• How county programs layer on top
• Major county program highlights
• Eligibility requirements across programs
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Real Florida examples by county
• Next steps — finding your county program

Florida's statewide program foundation

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) is the state agency that administers the programs available to buyers in every single Florida county. These programs work through a network of approved private lenders — you don't go to a state office; you apply through a participating lender who knows how to originate these loans.

Florida Housing's core offerings include:

Florida First / HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage loans

These are the primary mortgage products Florida Housing offers — 30-year fixed-rate loans at below-market interest rates for eligible buyers. The HFA Preferred (conventional) and HFA Advantage programs are paired with reduced mortgage insurance costs. Florida First is the FHA/VA/USDA version. All three are income- and purchase-price-limited, with thresholds that vary by county.

Florida Assist second mortgage

Florida Assist provides up to a set dollar amount (confirm current cap with a licensed FL mortgage specialist) as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage for down payment and closing cost assistance. It is not forgiven — it's repaid when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage. This is stacked on top of one of the primary loan products above.

Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)

FL HLP is a 3% interest second mortgage for down payment and closing costs, repaid over 15 years. Unlike Florida Assist, this one has a monthly payment — it adds to your DTI — but it can be a valuable tool when Assist's deferred structure doesn't fit your situation.

Hometown Heroes

Florida's Hometown Heroes program is available statewide for full-time Florida workers in more than 50 occupations — nurses, teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and many others. It offers below-market rates and significant down payment assistance. Income limits apply and the program requires a 640 FICO minimum. This is one of the most impactful programs available because it doesn't require first-time buyer status for many occupations.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

An MCC converts a portion of the mortgage interest you pay each year into a federal tax credit — not just a deduction. It's available to first-time buyers in most Florida counties (repeat buyers are eligible in targeted areas) and can reduce your federal tax bill by a meaningful amount each year for the life of the loan. MCCs are issued at closing and must be applied for through an approved lender. They can be combined with Florida Housing loan programs.

How county programs layer on top

Many Florida counties and some cities run their own homebuyer assistance programs funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, HOME Investment Partnerships funds, or local housing trust funds. These programs sit on top of the statewide programs — meaning a buyer might use a Florida Housing first mortgage, stack a county DPA grant on top, and also claim an MCC.

The result can be substantial. A buyer in certain counties might access $10,000–$40,000+ in total assistance between state and local programs. But it comes with complexity: each layer has its own income limits, purchase price caps, homebuyer education requirements, and sometimes occupancy or resale restrictions. Having a lender who specializes in Florida housing programs — rather than a generalist who primarily does conventional loans — makes a real difference in navigating the combinations.

For a broader overview of the assistance landscape, see Florida down payment assistance programs and first-time homebuyer programs in Florida.

Major county program highlights

Hillsborough County (Tampa area)

Hillsborough County offers its own down payment and closing cost assistance program through the County's Housing and Community Development Division. Assistance is aimed at low-to-moderate income buyers purchasing within unincorporated Hillsborough County. The City of Tampa also runs separate programs for properties within city limits. Combined with Florida Housing programs, buyers in this market have strong layering potential. Tampa-specific buyer information: First-time homebuyer guide for Tampa.

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg / Clearwater)

Pinellas County Housing Authority and the county itself administer several assistance initiatives. The City of St. Petersburg has historically run its own purchase assistance program as well. Buyers in this market should check both the county and city level because coverage areas differ — a home in St. Pete city limits may access different programs than one in unincorporated Pinellas.

Orange County (Orlando area)

Orange County's Down Payment Assistance program offers forgivable loans for income-qualifying buyers purchasing in targeted areas. The City of Orlando has separate DPA programs for properties inside Orlando's city limits. Orange County also participates fully in Florida Housing's statewide programs, so buyers here have access to the full menu. See the Orlando first-time buyer guide for specifics on this market.

Duval County (Jacksonville)

Jacksonville's housing office administers purchase assistance programs for buyers in Duval County. The city has historically focused assistance on lower-income buyers and targeted neighborhoods. Buyers in Jacksonville should also check the statewide Florida Housing programs, as the income limits in Duval are often more generous than in higher-cost coastal counties, meaning more buyers qualify. Explore the Jacksonville first-time buyer guide.

Lee County (Fort Myers / Cape Coral)

Lee County runs a purchase assistance program through its Human and Veteran Services department, offering deferred second mortgages for down payment help. Fort Myers and Cape Coral are among the fastest-growing housing markets in Florida, and post-Hurricane Ian recovery funds have also been channeled into some homebuyer programs in targeted areas. Check both county and city sources here. Local buyer guides: Fort Myers and Cape Coral.

Collier County (Naples area)

Collier County has one of the highest median home prices in Florida, which creates a challenge — many buyers exceed income limits for standard programs, but still struggle with down payment in such an expensive market. The county does offer purchase assistance through its Community and Human Services division, with income and purchase price caps that are higher than in more affordable counties to reflect the local market. See the Naples first-time buyer guide for Collier County specifics.

Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade is one of the most complex markets in Florida for homebuyer programs. The county itself runs a Surtax-funded purchase assistance program. The City of Miami has its own program. Several municipalities within the county — Hialeah, Homestead, North Miami — also have local programs. Buyers in this market can potentially stack multiple layers of assistance but need an experienced local lender to navigate the eligibility rules. See the Miami first-time buyer guide.

Sarasota County

Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota both offer purchase assistance programs, typically funded through HOME and SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) funds. SHIP is a Florida program that channels state money to counties for housing assistance — every county in Florida receives SHIP funding, and each county administers its own version of purchase assistance through it. Sarasota's program has historically targeted very low to moderate income buyers. See the Sarasota first-time buyer guide for details.

A note on every other Florida county

Every county in Florida receives SHIP funding and must offer some form of purchase assistance. That includes Broward (Fort Lauderdale), Palm Beach, Volusia (Daytona Beach), Brevard (Melbourne/Cocoa), Polk (Lakeland), Manatee (Bradenton), Pasco (New Port Richey), Seminole, Alachua (Gainesville), and all others. The size and structure of the assistance varies — some counties offer $5,000–$10,000 in deferred loans; others offer larger forgivable grants. Check your specific county's housing office or ask a participating Florida Housing lender to pull what's available in your area.

Eligibility requirements across programs

While each program has its own rules, here are the common threads:

• Credit score: Most Florida Housing programs require a 640 FICO minimum. Some county programs accept 620. VA and USDA programs may allow lower scores with lender discretion.
• Income limits: Set as a percentage of Area Median Income (AMI) — typically 80%–140% depending on the program. Limits are adjusted for household size and county. A household of 4 in Collier County has a higher income limit than the same household size in Alachua County.
• Purchase price limits: Florida Housing sets purchase price limits by county that get updated periodically. High-cost counties have higher caps — confirm current limits with a licensed FL mortgage specialist since these change.
• First-time buyer requirement: Most programs require you to be a first-time buyer (defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years). Exceptions include Hometown Heroes (for eligible occupations) and purchases in federally designated targeted areas.
• Homebuyer education: Virtually every program requires completion of an approved homebuyer education course. Online options through HUD-approved providers are available and typically take 6–8 hours. This is not optional — do it early.
• Owner-occupancy: You must live in the home as your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes don't qualify.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming your lender knows all the programs. Not every lender is approved for Florida Housing or familiar with every county program. Work with a lender who specifically has experience originating these loans.
• Not checking city programs if you're buying inside city limits. County programs and city programs are separate. A home inside Orlando city limits might access both Orange County and City of Orlando assistance — but only if your lender knows to apply for both.
• Missing the homebuyer education deadline. Some programs require education to be completed before you go under contract. Don't wait until the last week.
• Exceeding the income limit by a small amount without exploring alternatives. If you're slightly over an income limit, it's worth asking whether a different loan structure or program has a higher cap. Household income calculations have nuances — some programs exclude certain income types.
• Choosing a home over the purchase price cap. Even $1 over the limit disqualifies you. Know the cap for your county and loan type before you start shopping.

Real Florida examples by county

A postal worker in Jacksonville — Duval County stacking

Darnell works for USPS in Jacksonville, earning $51,000/year. He qualifies for Hometown Heroes as a federal government employee — though he should verify occupation eligibility with his lender, as the program's covered occupations list should be confirmed at the time of application. He's also eligible for Florida Housing's HFA Preferred conventional loan. His lender identified a Duval County SHIP program offering a $7,500 deferred second mortgage for buyers under 80% AMI. Combined with Hometown Heroes DPA, his total assistance covers his down payment and a significant portion of closing costs on a $225,000 home. See more Jacksonville buyer resources.

A teacher in Sarasota — SHIP plus state program

Elena teaches at a Sarasota County elementary school and earns $47,000/year. As a teacher, she qualifies for the Hometown Heroes program statewide. She's also eligible for Sarasota County's SHIP purchase assistance — a deferred second mortgage for low-to-moderate income buyers. Her lender structured the loan as a Florida Housing first mortgage layered with both Hometown Heroes DPA and the county SHIP loan, bringing her total assistance to enough to cover her down payment and most closing costs on a $275,000 home in the North Sarasota area. More on buying in Sarasota.

A nurse in Miami-Dade — navigating a complex market

Carmen is a registered nurse at a Miami hospital earning $78,000/year. Miami-Dade's high home prices mean she's shopping in the $380,000–$420,000 range. At her income level, she's above the limit for some county programs but under the Hometown Heroes income cap (confirm current cap with a licensed FL mortgage specialist). Her lender helped her access Hometown Heroes DPA plus the county's Surtax-funded assistance program for which she barely qualified. The combination covered her 3% down payment and closing costs on a $395,000 townhome. See the Miami buyer guide for more on navigating this market.

Next steps — finding your county program

The fastest path to knowing what's available in your county is to connect with a lender who's an approved Florida Housing participant and ask them to run through every program layer — state, county, and city — for your specific location, income, and household size. You can also contact your county's housing or community development office directly, though lenders are often faster and more current on what programs have active funding.

Florida's SHIP program directory and Florida Housing's lender locator are both free public resources. Before you call anyone, know your household gross income, the county and city where you plan to buy, and your approximate credit score — those three pieces of information will answer 80% of the eligibility questions upfront.

For a broader view of what's available statewide, start with the Florida first-time homebuyer programs guide and the homebuyer program quiz to narrow down your options quickly.

Want to see what programs may fit your situation? Take the free Homebuyer Qualification Quiz.