Florida Down Payment Assistance Eligibility (2026)
Florida down payment assistance has a few simple gates: a 640 credit score, an income limit that varies by county, and a purchase-price cap. Here is what qualifies you across Florida Housing and the county programs.
Who qualifies for Florida down payment assistance
The core requirements are simple. You need a 640 middle credit score, or 660 if your loan is manually underwritten. Your income has to fall under your county’s limit, and the home’s price under the county cap, both set by Florida Housing and updated periodically. The home must be your primary residence, and the assistance pairs with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage. Hometown Heroes layers on workforce and employment requirements, and county HFA programs set their own limits.
Income & price limits — by county
Unlike a single statewide number, Florida Housing sets income and purchase-price limits county by county, and they change periodically. High-cost counties like Miami-Dade and Monroe (the Keys) carry higher limits than rural counties. Because the figures move and vary so much, the reliable step is to check your specific county against the current Florida Housing table rather than rely on a general number, which is exactly what we do before you shop. County HFA programs (Orange, Hillsborough, and the rest) set their own limits on top.
Hometown Heroes has its own rules
Hometown Heroes, the flagship program, adds a workforce dimension: it was built for Floridians employed by a Florida-based employer, and its exact eligibility has shifted as the state has retooled and refunded it. It also runs in funding cycles, so it can be open at one point and paused at another. Before you build a plan around Hometown Heroes, we confirm both that you qualify and that the program is currently funded. See the Hometown Heroes page.
Common questions
What credit score do I need for Florida down payment assistance?
Florida Housing requires a 640 minimum credit score for all borrowers, or 660 for manual underwriting (640 for manufactured housing). County HFA programs may set their own minimums.
What are the income limits for Florida down payment assistance?
Florida Housing sets income and purchase-price limits county by county, and they change periodically. High-cost counties like Miami-Dade and Monroe carry higher limits than rural counties. Check your specific county's current figure; county HFA programs set their own limits.
What loans work with Florida down payment assistance?
The assistance pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgages (HFA Preferred / HFA Advantage). The home must be your primary residence, and a 640 credit score is required.
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