Buying your first home in Florida may be more affordable than you think.
One of the biggest obstacles for many prospective home buyers is finding enough money
for the down payment and closing costs. Fortunately, qualified Florida home buyers may
have access to mortgage and down-payment assistance programs that can reduce the
amount of cash needed to purchase a home.
For buyers in Orlando and Orange County, both statewide and local programs may be
worth investigating.
This guide explains several important first-time home buyer and down-payment assistance
options available in Florida in 2026.

What Is a First-Time Home Buyer Program?

A first-time home buyer program is generally designed to make purchasing a primary
residence more accessible to eligible buyers.
Depending on the program, benefits may include:

• Down-payment assistance
• Closing-cost assistance
• Special first-mortgage financing
• Deferred second mortgages
• Reduced upfront financing costs
• Home buyer education and counseling
  Not every program works the same way.
  Some assistance is structured as a second mortgage that eventually must be repaid. Other
  programs may have different repayment or forgiveness provisions.
  Before using any assistance program, make sure you understand exactly what happens if
  you sell, refinance, move out of the property, or pay off your first mortgage.

Are You Considered a First-Time Home Buyer?

You may be surprised to learn that “first-time home buyer” does not always mean you have
never owned a house.
For Florida Housing’s Homebuyer Loan Program, the general first-time home buyer
requirement is that you cannot have owned and occupied your primary residence during
the previous three years.
Certain exceptions may apply depending on the program and borrower.
This means someone who owned a home many years ago may potentially qualify as a firsttime buyer again.

1. Florida Housing Homebuyer Loan Program

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers a statewide Homebuyer Loan Program.
Qualified first-time home buyers can obtain a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage through an
approved participating lender.
Florida Housing currently lists several requirements for its Homebuyer Loan Program,
including:

• Minimum credit score of 640
• Use of an approved participating program lender
• Completion of approved home buyer education
• Compliance with applicable household income limits
• Compliance with applicable purchase-price limits
• Satisfaction of the program’s first-time home buyer requirements, unless an exception
  applies
  The income and purchase-price limits can vary by county.
  That means an Orlando buyer should check the current limits applicable to the county
  where the property will be purchased.

2. Florida Assist Down-Payment Assistance

Qualified borrowers using Florida Housing’s first-mortgage program may also have access
to Florida Assist.
Florida Housing currently states that Florida Assist provides up to $10,000 toward eligible
down-payment and closing costs on FHA, VA, USDA and conventional financing.
The assistance is structured as a 0% interest, non-amortizing deferred second mortgage.
However, there is something extremely important for buyers to understand:
Florida Assist is not a grant and is not forgivable.
Although monthly payments are not required on the deferred second mortgage, repayment
becomes due when certain events occur, such as selling the property, refinancing,
transferring the property, paying off the first mortgage, or no longer occupying the property
as the borrower’s primary residence.
Buyers should therefore understand the long-term obligations before accepting the
assistance.

3. Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Florida’s Hometown Heroes Housing Program is another important program for certain
qualified home buyers.
The 2026 program is designed for eligible, income-qualified first-time home buyers working
in designated workforce occupations.
Eligible categories currently include certain:

• Health care workers
• School staff members
• First responders
• Public safety employees
• Court employees
• Child care workers
• Military service members
• Veterans meeting applicable employment requirements
  Qualified borrowers can potentially receive down-payment and closing-cost assistance
  equal to as much as 5% of the first-mortgage loan amount, subject to program minimums
  and maximums.
  For the 2026 program, Florida Housing states that assistance can range from $10,000 up to
  a maximum of $35,000.
  The assistance is provided through a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second
  mortgage.
  It is not forgivable.
  The second mortgage generally becomes due if the property is sold, the first mortgage is
  refinanced, the deed is transferred, or the borrower no longer occupies the home as a
  primary residence.
  Because funding and program requirements can change, prospective buyers should verify
  current availability before depending on Hometown Heroes assistance.

4. Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program

If you are purchasing a home in Orlando or another eligible area of Orange County, a local
program may provide substantial assistance.
Orange County’s Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program helps eligible first-time
home buyers purchase new or existing homes.
For the current 2026 program information, Orange County lists assistance amounts based
on household income and household size.
Depending on eligibility, assistance currently listed by the county includes:
Very low-income buyers: up to $70,000
Low-income buyers: up to $40,000
Moderate-income buyers: up to $10,000
Applicants must meet the program requirements.
Orange County also requires applicants to complete an approved pre-purchase home
buyer education program and obtain a first mortgage.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Because program funding, eligibility, limits, and availability can change, buyers should
confirm current information directly with Orange County before relying on a particular
assistance amount.

5. Local SHIP Home Buyer Assistance

Florida’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership, commonly called SHIP, provides funding
to local governments for affordable housing strategies.
Depending on where you plan to purchase, your county or city may offer assistance
through its local SHIP program.
Assistance may potentially help eligible buyers with expenses such as:

• Down payment
• Closing costs
• Other approved home-purchase expenses
  Local programs establish their own eligibility criteria and funding priorities.
  Therefore, a program available to an Orlando buyer may be different from one available to
  someone purchasing in another Florida county.
  If you are considering buying outside Orange County, investigate the SHIP program in the
  county or city where you plan to purchase.

How Much Down-Payment Assistance Can an Orlando Buyer Receive?

There is no single amount that applies to everyone.
Depending on the program and your eligibility, assistance could range from several
thousand dollars to substantially more.
For example, currently published 2026 program information includes:
Florida Assist: up to $10,000
Florida Hometown Heroes: $10,000 minimum and up to $35,000 for eligible borrowers,
based on program calculations
Orange County DPA: assistance levels currently listed at $10,000, $40,000 or $70,000
depending on eligible household income and size
These programs have different rules and should not be assumed to be interchangeable or
automatically combinable.
A qualified lender or program administrator should determine which program or programs
apply to your transaction.

Can You Combine Down-Payment Assistance With an FHA Loan?

Potentially.
Some Florida Housing assistance programs can be used with eligible FHA financing.
However, the assistance program, lender, borrower, and property must satisfy the
applicable requirements.
Do not assume that every down-payment assistance program can be combined with every
mortgage product.
Ask your participating lender to identify the combinations available for your situation.

Can You Use Assistance With a Conventional Loan?

Potentially.
Florida Housing also offers conventional first-mortgage options, and certain assistance
programs may be available with qualifying conventional financing.
The appropriate financing structure depends on your income, credit, debt, available funds,
property, and program eligibility.

What Credit Score Do You Need?

Credit requirements vary by program and lender.
For example, Florida Housing currently lists a minimum 640 credit score as one of the
requirements for its Homebuyer Loan Program.
However, that does not mean a 640 score automatically guarantees approval.
Mortgage qualification considers multiple factors, which can include:

• Credit history
• Income
• Employment
• Debt
• Debt-to-income ratio
• Assets
• Property eligibility
• Loan program requirements
  If your credit needs improvement, it may still be worthwhile to speak with a mortgage
  professional and develop a plan for becoming mortgage-ready.

Are There Income Limits?

Many first-time home buyer and down-payment assistance programs have household
income limits.
The maximum qualifying income can depend on factors such as:

• County
• Household size
• Program
• Mortgage type
• Current program guidelines
  This is why you should not rely on an old social-media post or article to determine whether
  you qualify.
  Program limits can change.

Are There Home Price Limits?

Some programs also establish maximum purchase prices.
A home may need to fall below the applicable program limit even if the borrower otherwise
qualifies.
This is particularly important when searching for homes in higher-priced areas.
Before you start seriously shopping, determine your financing and assistance limits so your
real estate professional can focus your search on properties that fit the program.

Is Home Buyer Education Required?

For many assistance programs, yes.
For example, Florida Housing currently requires approved home buyer education for its
Homebuyer Loan Program.
Orange County also requires pre-purchase home buyer education for its Down Payment
Assistance Program.
Home buyer education can cover subjects such as:

• Budgeting
• Mortgage financing
• Credit
• Home inspections
• Insurance
• Closing
• Home maintenance
• Responsibilities of homeownership
  Do not wait until the last minute to determine whether a course is required.

Is Down-Payment Assistance Free Money?

Not necessarily.
This is one of the most important things buyers should understand.
The word “assistance” does not automatically mean “free grant.”
Some programs provide assistance as a second mortgage.
That second mortgage might:

• Have no monthly payment
• Charge 0% interest
• Be deferred
• Become payable when you sell
• Become payable when you refinance
• Become payable when you stop occupying the property
• Have other repayment conditions
  Always ask:
  Is this money a grant, forgivable loan, deferred loan, or repayable second mortgage?
  Then ask exactly when repayment becomes due.

Example: Buying a $350,000 Home

Imagine that you want to purchase a $350,000 home in the Orlando area.
Without assistance, you might need money for:

• Down payment
• Closing costs
• Prepaid expenses
• Homeowners insurance
• Inspections
• Other transaction costs
  If you qualify for a home buyer assistance program, some eligible expenses may potentially
  be covered by the assistance.
  The exact amount would depend on your program, income, household size, mortgage,
  property, and other eligibility requirements.
  This is why getting evaluated for available programs before shopping for homes can be
  valuable.

Step-by-Step: How to Start

If you are interested in buying your first Orlando home with down-payment assistance,
consider this process:
Step 1: Review your credit and finances.
Step 2: Speak with a lender familiar with Florida and local home buyer programs.
Step 3: Determine which programs you may qualify for.
Step 4: Complete required home buyer education.
Step 5: Obtain mortgage pre-approval.
Step 6: Determine your maximum home price and estimated cash requirement.
Step 7: Begin searching for eligible Orlando-area properties.
Step 8: Make an offer and complete the normal mortgage, inspection, appraisal,
insurance, and closing process.
Starting with financing rather than the home search can help prevent you from spending
time looking at properties that do not fit your mortgage or assistance program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida give first-time home buyers money?

Florida Housing offers programs that can provide eligible buyers with down-payment and
closing-cost assistance.
The assistance may be structured as a second mortgage rather than a grant, so buyers
should understand the repayment terms.

How much assistance can I get in Orlando?

The amount depends on the program.
For example, Orange County currently lists different assistance amounts based on
household income and size, while Florida Housing has separate statewide programs with
their own limits.

Do I have to pay down-payment assistance back?

It depends on the program.
Some programs use deferred second mortgages that must eventually be repaid under
specified circumstances. Never assume assistance is forgivable without reviewing the
actual program terms.

Can I qualify if I owned a home before?

Possibly.
For Florida Housing’s general first-time home buyer definition, you may potentially qualify if
you have not owned and occupied your primary residence during the previous three years,
subject to program requirements.

Do I need perfect credit?

No, but credit requirements apply.
Florida Housing currently lists a minimum credit score of 640 for its Homebuyer Loan
Program. Other lender and program requirements also apply.

Ready to Buy Your First Home in Orlando?

If the down payment or closing costs have been preventing you from considering
homeownership, it may be worth investigating the programs available to you.
You may have more options than you realize.
Before searching for homes, determine:
Your mortgage eligibility → Your potential assistance eligibility → Your maximum purchase
price → Your estimated monthly payment → Your approximate cash needed for closing.
If you are considering purchasing your first home in Orlando or Central Florida, contact
us to discuss your home-buying goals and begin exploring properties that fit your budget.
Program availability, funding, income limits, purchase-price limits, mortgage guidelines,
and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program
requirements with the appropriate housing agency and participating lender before making
financial or purchasing decisions.