Miami-Dade Down Payment Assistance (Florida Housing)
Miami is one of the toughest markets in the country to save a down payment for, which is exactly why Florida Housing matters here. Three statewide DPA options, including Hometown Heroes, can cover it. Here is how they work across Miami-Dade.
How Florida Housing works in Miami-Dade
Saving a down payment in Miami-Dade is brutal, and that is where Florida Housing does its most important work. The state runs three down payment assistance options, and any of them can pair with a Florida Housing first mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional). FL Assist gives $10,000 as a repayable second. FL PLUS gives 3% to 5% of the loan as a forgivable second. And Hometown Heroes, the flagship, can go up to $35,000. A 640 credit score qualifies. In a market where price, not credit, is the usual barrier, that assistance is often what gets a Miami buyer to the closing table.
Buying across Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade is huge and varied, and the eligible map runs well beyond the pricey coast. Hialeah, Homestead, Cutler Bay, Kendall, and the areas south and west of the core carry the most homes within reach. Condos and townhomes across the county fit more often than single-family near the water. Because Florida Housing income and price limits are set by county and Miami-Dade runs high, more buyers qualify here than the sticker prices might suggest. The real question is matching the right DPA option to your purchase, which is what we sort out.
Why Hometown Heroes matters most in Miami
In a high-cost market, the size of the assistance is everything, and Hometown Heroes is the largest Florida offers, up to 5% of the first mortgage capped at $35,000. It was built for Florida’s workforce, and it has helped a wide range of income-eligible first-time buyers employed by Florida employers. Funding runs in cycles, so this is one to confirm is open and funded when you are ready. See our Hometown Heroes page for the current details.
Florida Housing income and purchase-price limits vary by county and are current per Florida Housing; Hometown Heroes amounts and funding also change. Confirm your county figure before relying on one. See our eligibility page.
Common questions
What down payment assistance is available in Miami-Dade?
Florida Housing offers three statewide options: FL Assist ($10,000, repayable), FL PLUS (3-5% of the loan, forgivable over 5 years), and Hometown Heroes (up to 5% of the first mortgage, max $35,000). All pair with a Florida Housing first mortgage and require a 640 credit score.
What is the biggest down payment help in Miami?
Florida's Hometown Heroes program is the largest, up to 5% of the first mortgage amount capped at $35,000. In a high-cost market like Miami-Dade, that size of assistance often makes the difference. Funding runs in cycles, so confirm it is open when you buy.
What credit score do I need for down payment assistance in Miami-Dade?
Florida Housing requires a 640 minimum credit score, or 660 for manual underwriting. The assistance pairs with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgages.
Ready to see your options?
Tell us your county, credit range, and price target, and we’ll map your Florida path in a no-pressure 20-minute call. No obligation.