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First-Time Homebuyer Programs · Verified October 2026

Your down payment might already be paid for.

State, county and city programs across South Florida and the Treasure Coast will put real money toward a first home — grants, forgivable loans and 0% deferred help. Most require one thing: you haven't owned and lived in a home in the past 3 years. This page lists every program Albury tracks, what it's worth, and the catch — because every one of them has a catch.

Up to $200,000Largest single award — City of Miami, District 5
5 countiesBroward · Palm Beach · Miami-Dade · St. Lucie · Martin
$0Cost to check which ones fit you
Text Albury — check my eligibilitySee the programs ↓
Statewide — FloridaBy countyDo I qualify?

Statewide · Florida Housing

Start with the state money.

Florida Housing programs work anywhere in the state — but only through a Florida Housing participating lender, with a 640+ credit score and an approved homebuyer course. If your current lender isn't on that list, half this page is locked to you — that's the first thing Albury checks.

Florida Housing · StatewideOpen — funds draining

Hometown Heroes

Up to$35,000

5% of your first mortgage (minimum $10,000) as a 0% deferred second mortgage — no monthly payment. For full-time Florida workers in healthcare, K-12 schools (any role), first response, public safety, courts and licensed childcare — plus military and veterans.

The catch: occupation-based, and the job must be full-time (35+ hrs) at a Florida employer. The 2026 funding round is projected to run out around late November — funds are reserved when you go under contract.

Ask about this programfloridahousing.org ↗
Florida Housing · StatewideOpen now

Florida Assist

Up to$10,000

The workhorse: $10,000 at 0% interest, deferred — no monthly payment, due only when you sell, refinance or move out. Covers down payment and closing costs behind an FHA, VA, USDA or conventional Florida Housing first mortgage.

The catch: not forgivable — it's repaid at the end. And Florida Housing assistance is once per lifetime, per borrower.

Ask about this programfloridahousing.org ↗
Florida Housing · StatewideOpen now

HFA PLUS — the forgivable one

Forgivable · 3–5% of the loan3–5%

Assistance worth 3%, 4% or 5% of your loan amount, forgiven 20% per year — stay five years and you owe nothing. Rides with the HFA Preferred PLUS / HFA Advantage PLUS conventional first mortgages.

The catch: conventional loans only (not FHA/VA), and the trade-off is usually a somewhat higher first-mortgage rate — worth pricing both ways.

Ask about this programfloridahousing.org ↗
Florida Housing · StatewideOpen now

Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)

Up to$12,500

A second mortgage for down payment and closing costs, repaid in small monthly payments over 30 years — the alternative when you want more than Florida Assist offers.

The catch: unlike Florida Assist, this one has a monthly payment, and it counts in your debt ratios when you qualify.

Ask about this programfloridahousing.org ↗

County & City Programs

The local money is bigger —
and it runs in rounds.

City and county programs carry the largest checks on this page, but they only work inside their own borders, and funding opens and closes in rounds. Being file-ready before a round opens is the whole edge.

County

23 local programs across five counties · plus the statewide programs above

Broward County

Programs are open today in Lauderhill, Pembroke Pines, Hallandale Beach and Miramar — and the biggest city round, Tamarac, opens November 2 to buyers who finished their counseling first.

City of TamaracOpens Nov 2

Tamarac Purchase Assistance

Up to$85,000

The biggest city award in Broward's northwest corridor: up to $85,000 at the lowest income tier, $75,000 at ≤80% AMI and $40,000 up to 120% AMI — a 0% deferred loan over 15 years.

The catch: applications open Monday, Nov 2, 2026 at 10 AM — only for buyers who already completed one-on-one counseling (Oasis of Hope or Housing Foundation of America). Book the counseling before the round, not after. Home must be inside Tamarac.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of LauderhillOpen now

Lauderhill Purchase Assistance

Up to$75,000

Up to $75,000 for very-low-income buyers, $65,000 at ≤80% AMI and $40,000 up to 120% AMI — 0% deferred, with forgiveness built into the term.

The catch: home must be inside Lauderhill, first-qualified first-served, and the price cap on HOME funds is $451,000.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
Broward CountyNew round Nov 2026

Broward County Purchase Assistance (HPA)

Up to$80,000

The county's flagship: a 0% deferred second mortgage, forgiven after 15 years in the home. Amounts vary by community — most up to $80,000 at ≤80% AMI.

The catch: many city pools (Sunrise, Margate, Coral Springs, Plantation and more) are out of funds until the November 2026 round. Hollywood — up to $50,000, income to 120% AMI — and Pembroke Pines are open now. There's no online application: your lender applies for you, and they must be on the county's participating list. County line: (954) 357-4900.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of Fort LauderdaleVerify funds

Fort Lauderdale Purchase Assistance

Up to$90,000

Up to $90,000 as a 0% 15-year deferred loan, forgiven at the end of the term if every condition is met. Income up to 80% AMI; at least $1,000 of your own money in the deal.

The catch: the city runs the program "subject to availability of funds" and doesn't confirm money is on hand today — Albury verifies current funding before you plan around it. Counseling certificate required before applying.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of Pembroke PinesOpen now

Pembroke Pines First-Time Homebuyer (SHIP)

Up to$75,000

Up to $75,000 at ≤80% AMI ($50,000 up to 140% AMI) — 0%, no payments for 10 years, forgiven if you still own and live in the home at the end of the term.

The catch: existing homes only, and your contract must run 45–60 days and be contingent on city funding approval. Administered by CRA Florida.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
Hallandale Beach CRAOpen now

Hallandale Beach CRA First-Time Homebuyer

Up to$100,000

Up to $100,000 at 0%, forgiven after 10 years — plus a $5,000 bonus for teachers, nurses and lifeguards.

The catch: only inside the CRA district. 2026–27 applications run through June 30, 2027, while funds last; 640+ credit and $2,000 of your own money required.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of MiramarOpen now

Miramar Purchase Assistance

Up to$90,000

The city's first-time homebuyer money: up to $90,000 toward down payment, closing costs and first-mortgage reduction as a 15-year, 0% deferred second loan — it converts to a grant if you meet every condition. The award scales with income across the very-low, low and moderate tiers; a separate moderate-income track (MIMA) offers up to $30,000, with a household income cap of $165,000. Miramar also runs help for people who already own there: HOPP foreclosure prevention (up to $10,000), SEFA roof and A/C grants for seniors 60+, and rental assistance up to $8,000 opening October 29.

The catch: "first-time" here means no homeownership in the past 3 years — you don't have to be a never-owner. Miramar homes only, as your primary residence; at least 1% of the price from your own funds, a lender pre-approval plus an executed contract start the pre-application, and a pre-purchase homebuyer course is required. First-come, first-qualified until funds run out. Apply through the city's Neighborly portal — Housing Division: housing@miramarfl.gov, (954) 883-5386.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
Town of DavieClosed — watch list

Davie SHIP Purchase Assistance

Up to$90,000

Up to $90,000 at 0%, forgiven 10% per year over 10 years, with income eligibility up to 120% AMI.

The catch: currently closed — the town reopens when new funding lands. If Davie is your target, get on the watch list now so your file is ready when it does.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗

Palm Beach County

The largest city award in Florida sits in Boca Raton — and it's accepting applications. County money runs in fast rounds, so readiness wins.

City of Boca RatonAccepting applications

Boca Raton SHIP Purchase Assistance

Up to$190,000

Need-based assistance up to $190,000 (per lender program lists; the city's application packet governs) as a 0% deferred loan, forgiven after 20 years in the home.

The catch: funding is very limited and new applicants may be waitlisted. Homes inside Boca Raton only; income priority to ≤80% AMI, with some funds reaching 140% AMI.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
Palm Beach CountyRounds — verify first

County Purchase Assistance

Up to$100,000

Up to $100,000 for down payment, closing costs and gap financing — 0% deferred, forgiven at the end of the term if the home stays your primary residence. SHIP funds reach up to 140% AMI.

The catch: the county opens application rounds that fill fast, and no open round was confirmed in late October 2026. A first-mortgage pre-approval is required before you can apply — verify the round before you plan around it.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of West Palm BeachVerify window

West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program

Up to$100,000

Up to $100,000 as a 0% deferred loan on a 30-year term, forgiven at maturity if you owner-occupy throughout. Primarily ≤80% AMI, with some assistance reaching 140% AMI.

The catch: two mandatory city orientation sessions plus the homebuyer course come first, the home must be inside city limits, and the current application window wasn't confirmed in October 2026 — verify before quoting it.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of Boynton BeachVerify award

Boynton Beach SHIP Purchase Assistance

AwardSet by income & need

A 0% deferred-payment loan for down payment and closing costs, forgiven at the end of a 15-year term. Income up to 120% AMI; purchase price cap $568,557; homes inside city limits.

The catch: the city's flyer doesn't publish a maximum award — a secondary program table reports up to $100,000. Confirm the current award and application status with the city before planning around a number.

Ask about this programOfficial program flyer ↗

Miami-Dade County

Five programs confirmed open — including the biggest number on this page. City limits and district lines decide everything here.

City of Miami · District 5Open now

Miami District 5 Expanded First-Time Homebuyer

Up to$200,000

The biggest award on this page: up to $200,000 by income and need, 0% deferred, forgiven after 30 years.

The catch: the strictest door here — District 5 homes only (price cap $500,000), you must have never owned a home (the 3-year rule isn't enough), and you must currently live in the City of Miami. Sell early and the city shares in the appreciation. Open until funds run out.

Ask about this program
City of HialeahOpen now

Hialeah First-Time Homebuyer Program

Up to$150,000

Up to $150,000 at 0% deferred, forgiven after 15 years — and part of the money can go toward home improvements.

The catch: Hialeah homes only, price cap $636,806, household-of-4 income up to about $109,000. The city is accepting online applications now; ask which plan year's funds apply to a new application.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of MiamiOpen now

City of Miami Home Buyer Financing (SHIP)

Up to$130,002

Up to $130,002, scaled by bedroom count, as a 0% deferred loan on a 30-year term — forgiven at the end of the term.

The catch: the FY2026–27 application period opened September 14, 2026 and runs until funds are depleted. Your first mortgage must come from a city-approved lender, and the price cap in city materials runs $451,000–$494,000 — plan on the lower figure.

Ask about this programOfficial program plan ↗
City of North MiamiOpen now

North Miami First-Time Homebuyer Program

Up to$80,000

Layered help by income and need: up to $40,000 SHIP (forgiven after 7 years) plus up to $40,000 HOME (forgiven after 15 years) — a 0% forgivable deferred loan.

The catch: open until funds are depleted. 8-hour course, 3% of the price from you, and liquid assets capped at $30,000.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
Miami-Dade CountyVerify status

Miami-Dade County Down Payment Assistance

Up to$35,000

The county's own assistance: up to $35,000 at 0% deferred, no monthly payment, due on sale, refinance or at the 30-year mark. At least 1% of your own money in the deal.

The catch: an early sale shares profit with the county (sell in years 1–3 and you repay principal plus 100% of net profit). You must live in Miami-Dade at application and at closing. The county doesn't publish open/closed status — verify before planning.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of Miami GardensOpen now

Miami Gardens Purchase Assistance

Up to$20,000

Up to $20,000 in SHIP down payment and closing-cost assistance, 0% deferred — per the city, forgiven after 5 years.

The catch: first-qualified, first-served until funds run out; max sales price $382,195 — and per the city's process, the home must be under contract to apply.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗

St. Lucie County

Port St. Lucie carries the county's biggest number on paper; Fort Pierce's new round is the one confirmed open today.

City of Port St. LucieVerify window

Port St. Lucie Home Purchase Assistance (SHIP)

Up to$100,000

The city's current SHIP plan sets a maximum award of $100,000 for home purchase assistance — down payment, closing costs, prepaids and gap financing.

The catch: city rounds are funding-dependent and have historically used lotteries; no current application window was confirmed in October 2026 — verify with the city before planning around it.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
St. Lucie–Martin HOME ConsortiumUnincorporated only

HOME Consortium Purchase Assistance

Up to$50,000

Up to $50,000 in need-based gap financing — down payment plus closing costs — as a 0% deferred second mortgage, forgivable over a 5–15 year affordability period.

The catch: unincorporated St. Lucie or Martin County only — city-limit homes use other routes. The homebuyer workshop must be done before you sign a contract, and at least $500 of the money is yours.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
City of Fort PierceNew round open now

Fort Pierce Home Purchase Assistance

Up to$15,000

A new FY2026–27 round opened October 1, 2026: 0% deferred help toward down payment and closing costs on homes inside Fort Pierce, first-submitted, first-qualified, first-served.

The catch: awards run $1,000–$15,000 by income — real, but small — and a mandatory city orientation comes before you can apply; applications without proof of orientation aren't reviewed. At least $500 of your own money required.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗
St. Lucie Charitable FoundationTrue grant — never repaid

Attainable Housing Closing-Cost Grant

Up to$2,500

A true grant — never repaid — toward closing costs like title, insurance and inspections. Small, but it's free money that stacks on top of the bigger programs.

The catch: you can't own any other property, there's no cash back at closing, and you must apply at least 21 business days before closing.

Ask about this program

Martin County

One county program covers everyone — Stuart and Indiantown buyers use it too; neither runs a program of its own.

Martin CountyVerify by phone

Martin County SHIP Purchase Assistance

Up to$75,000

Up to $75,000 for very-low and low-income buyers ($55,000 at moderate income) as a 0% deferred second mortgage — forgiven one-third every 5 years over a 15-year term. Stay 15 years and you owe nothing.

The catch: applications run through the county's Neighborly system or by appointment, and purchase-assistance funding status isn't posted — one call to Martin County Human Services, (772) 288-5785, settles it. Published maximums conflict across sources, so the $75,000 figure is the conservative one.

Ask about this programOfficial program page ↗

Also stackable: lender grants

Separate from the government programs — these ride on the bank's own loan, and they can combine with state and local help. Each requires financing through that lender, and eligibility is checked by property address.

Chase Homebuyer Grant — $7,500

A true grant for down payment, closing costs or a rate buydown in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami markets, on homes in designated census tracts, when you finance with Chase.

Bank of America — up to $17,500 combined

Down Payment Grant up to $10,000 (3% of the price) plus the America's Home Grant lender credit up to $7,500 for closing costs — neither is repaid. Address- and market-specific; confirm in BofA's Down Payment Center.

Official program page ↗

FHLBank Atlanta — up to $17,500

First-Time Homebuyer Product up to $17,500 (forgiven after 5 years) and Workforce Housing Plus+ up to $15,000 as an outright grant — no first-time rule on the latter. Both run through member banks and credit unions in funding rounds.

Official program page ↗

Do I Qualify?

Not sure which ones fit you?

Almost every program on this page starts from the same five checks. If you can say yes to most of them, there's very likely money with your name on it — the only question is which program, and that depends on your income, your job, and exactly where you buy.

1

You haven't owned a home in 3+ years — or never

"First-time buyer" means you haven't owned and lived in a home in the past 3 years. Veterans are exempt from this rule on the state programs, and a few programs — Lauderdale Lakes purchase assistance, FHLBank's Workforce Housing Plus+, and MDEAT in Miami-Dade — don't require first-time status at all.

2

Your income fits the county's limit

Most programs cap household income at 80–120% of the area median — in Broward, 80% AMI is $64,550 for a household of one and $92,200 for four. Some reach higher: Hometown Heroes goes to 150% AMI. These programs count all household income, so bring the full picture.

3

Your credit is 640 or higher

Most programs set the floor at 640. Below that, the work starts with credit — and there are still paths (ask about NACA and the Chenoa Fund).

4

You complete the homebuyer course

An 8-hour HUD-approved course is required nearly everywhere — and some cities add their own step first: Tamarac requires one-on-one counseling before you can even apply, West Palm Beach requires two orientations, Fort Pierce requires its orientation before applications are reviewed.

5

You buy in the program's area, as your home

City money only works inside that city; county money inside that county. The home must be your primary residence, and most programs expect some of your own money in the deal — commonly 1–3% of the price — with caps on the assets you can hold.

Text Albury "PROGRAMS" — he'll match youWhatsApp insteadCall (754) 654-4985

Program maximums shown. Eligibility, income limits, first-time-buyer rules and funding availability apply, and several programs open in funding rounds — amounts verified October 2026. AP Living · Albury Pierre, LPT Realty.