Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs: How to Check Current Options

Last reviewed October 5, 2026. Opened and reviewed four authoritative primary-source pages on 2026-10-05. This article is general education and not a commitment to lend, approval, rate quote, legal advice, tax advice, or individualized financial advice.

Current information to know

Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) says its Homebuyer Program provides 30-year fixed-rate first mortgages through participating lenders; eligible borrowers may also use certain FHFC second-mortgage programs for down payment and closing costs. Read the applicable official guidance at floridahousing.org.

• ▸FHFC states that its assistance is not stand-alone assistance: it must be used with an FHFC first mortgage, and customers must satisfy the applicable program rules, use an approved participating lender, complete approved homebuyer education, and meet current income, purchase-price, credit, and first-time-homebuyer requirements shown by FHFC.
• ▸FHFC describes multiple assistance structures, including a deferred second mortgage that is not forgivable, a second mortgage with a monthly payment, and conventional-product PLUS second mortgages that are forgiven over their stated term. The page says repayment or acceleration can be triggered by events such as sale, transfer, refinancing, payoff of the first mortgage, or ceasing to occupy the property as a primary residence; the specific product documents control.

How to prepare

• ▸What down-payment assistance means: grants, gifts, deferred or repayable second mortgages, and other assistance are different-and customers should read the repayment terms.
• ▸Florida Housing programs: explain that FHFC assistance is tied to an FHFC first mortgage, approved participating lenders, education, and current program requirements; link directly to FHFC rather than reproducing volatile figures.
• ▸Local SHIP programs: explain that SHIP is locally administered and direct customers to their county or city housing office and current local housing assistance plan.

Use current documents and disclosures

Ask which current product or program applies, what documents are needed, how the lender will evaluate the transaction, and which written disclosures show the actual costs and terms. Compare written information carefully and consult an appropriate professional for legal, tax, or other individualized questions.

Sources

Official sources reviewed: floridahousing.org, floridahousing.org, consumerfinance.gov. Requirements and the facts of an individual transaction can change, so review current program information and written disclosures before relying on this general education.