What Is Down Payment Assistance — and Who Is It For?

Down payment assistance (DPA) refers to any grant, forgivable loan, or financial resource that helps buyers cover the money needed to close on a home — usually the down payment and closing costs.

🧾 What It Can Cover:

• 3.5% FHA down payment
• Closing costs (title, inspection, appraisal)
• Prepaid taxes and insurance

You don't need to be a first-time buyer. Many programs are open to low- to moderate-income families, essential workers, veterans, and buyers in designated target zones.

👉 Next: We’ll walk through the top 2025 Florida DPA programs — including how much they offer, who qualifies, and how to apply.

Top Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs (2025)

Whether you’re buying in a big city or a rural town, Florida has multiple statewide and local programs that offer real financial help — not just advice. These are the best programs active in 2025.

🏆 Hometown Heroes (Florida Housing)

Offers up to $35,000 in assistance to frontline workers — including teachers, nurses, police, EMTs, and more. This is a 0% interest, deferred second loan that is repaid only if you sell, refinance, or rent out the home.

🔗 Learn more → Florida Hometown Heroes Program

💼 FL Assist Second Mortgage

Provides up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs. It’s a silent second mortgage — no interest and no monthly payments. Repaid when you sell or refinance.

🏡 SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership)

SHIP funds are distributed to each Florida county or city and provide $15,000–$50,000 in assistance for income-qualified buyers. Funds are often forgivable after 5–15 years. Can be used with FHA, VA, or conventional loans.

🔗 Visit Florida Housing to find your local SHIP office →

🏠 Freddie Mac BorrowSmart

A conventional loan program offering $1,000 to $2,500 in down payment help based on your income level and location. Available through participating lenders.

🎓 Florida First & Military Heroes Combo

These loan “combos” from Florida Housing bundle a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with one of the down payment assistance loans above. Great for low-rate locking and smooth processing.

Most programs require you to use an approved lender and attend a first-time homebuyer education course (online or in-person). Many are stackable — meaning you can use multiple together.

👉 In the next section, we’ll explain exactly how to qualify for these programs and what documents you’ll need.

How to Qualify for Down Payment Assistance in Florida (2025)

Each program has its own rules — but most follow the same basic guidelines. Here’s what it takes to qualify in 2025 for most DPA options in Florida.

📊 Income Limits

Programs like SHIP, Hometown Heroes, and FL Assist all have household income limits. These vary by county and household size. A few examples:

• Alachua County: Up to $90,400 for a household of 1–2
• Orange County: Up to $104,000 for 1–2
• Miami-Dade: $120,000+ based on household size

💳 Credit Score Requirements

Most programs require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans or 580 for FHA loans. Some counties may require 640+ for certain local grants.

📁 Documents You’ll Need

• Government-issued ID
• 2 years of W-2s or tax returns
• Recent pay stubs or benefit letters (SSDI, etc.)
• 2 months of bank statements
• Completed homebuyer education certificate (for most programs)

Even if you think your credit or income is too low, there are workarounds — including manual underwriting and stacked assistance programs that reduce your required out-of-pocket funds.

👉 Up next: Real stories of Florida families who bought their home using down payment assistance — and how they did it.

Florida Families Who Bought with Down Payment Assistance

These are real Florida residents who used grant programs, zero-interest loans, and smart planning to make homeownership possible — often with less than $2,000 out of pocket.

🛠️ Latasha – Gainesville Single Mom, Home on $36K/Year

Latasha worked full-time at a clinic and raised her son alone. With just $800 in savings and a 609 credit score, she was told to “wait another year.” But she didn’t. She used SHIP funding and an FHA loan to close on a $148,000 home with only $1,050 out of pocket.

• ✅ $15,000 SHIP grant
• ✅ 203(k) light rehab rolled into her mortgage
• ✅ Her new payment: $945/month

👨‍🔧 Marcus & Jen – Orlando Couple Used Hometown Heroes + FL Assist

As a police dispatcher and a mechanic, they didn’t think they could afford Orlando’s prices. We helped them stack Hometown Heroes and FL Assist. They purchased a $275K townhome with only $1,400 total cash to close.

• ✅ $25,000 deferred loan (0% interest)
• ✅ Used MCC tax credit for $1,800/year refund
• ✅ Closed in 39 days

🎖️ Ramon – Disabled Veteran in Marion County

Ramon received VA disability income and had no credit score due to years of using only cash. With our help, he completed a manual underwrite VA loan and used SHIP funds for closing costs.

• ✅ $12,500 SHIP assistance
• ✅ No down payment due to VA loan
• ✅ Moved into a 3/2 ranch home with $0 at closing

Their stories prove this: It’s not about how much you have — it’s about how smart your plan is. And with the right team, you don’t need to settle for renting.

👉 Next: How to take the first step and get matched to a program that works for you.

Take the First Step — Get Matched to a Down Payment Program That Works

Whether you need help with a 3.5% down payment or want to eliminate closing costs altogether — the right program is out there. You just need the right team to help you qualify and apply.

At The Alpha Order, we’ve helped first-time buyers, low-income families, veterans, and essential workers qualify for programs that put them in homes for less than they expected — sometimes under $1,000 total.

Fill out our quick Housing Help form below and we’ll respond with a personalized game plan — based on your income, city, and loan type.

Get Down Payment Help →

The Alpha Order | Housing Wisdom. Real Solutions. No Gimmicks.

Don’t Let the Down Payment Hold You Back

If your biggest barrier to buying a home is the down payment — Florida has real solutions. Grants. Forgivable loans. Local support. National options. And we’ll guide you through them step by step.

Fill out our short form, and we’ll help you find and apply for the right down payment assistance based on your city, income, and home type — no guesswork.

Find My Assistance Program →

The Alpha Order | Helping Families Step Into Ownership the Right Way