Down payment assistance, often called DPA, may help eligible buyers with part of their down payment or closing costs. Some assistance must be repaid; some may be forgivable only if specified conditions are met. Program rules, participating lenders, application windows and funding vary.
Florida Housing homebuyer programs
Florida Housing Finance Corporation offers homebuyer financing through participating lenders. Its assistance options include Florida Assist, the Florida Homeownership Loan Program second mortgage, and HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage PLUS options. These have different payment and forgiveness features and are paired with eligible first mortgages. A program appearing in this guide does not establish that Opportunity Mortgage Group or a particular lender currently participates.
Florida Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing program for eligible workforce and military borrowers. The 2026 rules include occupational and employment conditions, along with income, homebuyer and mortgage requirements. Its assistance is a deferred second mortgage, not a forgivable grant. Review the current official rules and ask about funding and lender participation before relying on it. This page does not show a live funding balance or reserve assistance.
County and city assistance through SHIP
Florida’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership, or SHIP, supports locally administered housing assistance. Purchase assistance may be offered by a county or eligible city under its own plan. The property location determines which local office to contact. City limits can matter: an Orlando mailing address, for example, does not by itself establish that a property lies within a particular assistance jurisdiction.
Start with the county where you want to buy
This inquiry guide is for buyers throughout Florida, from the Panhandle and North Florida to Central Florida, Tampa Bay, Southwest Florida and South Florida. In Central Florida, begin with the property’s county—such as Orange, Lake, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, Brevard, Marion or Sumter—and then check whether a city program also applies. Use Florida Housing’s official local program directory to find the appropriate administrator anywhere in the state. Local programs may have waiting lists or closed application periods.
What can affect eligibility?
Prepare to discuss the intended city and county, household size, purchase price range, expected timeline, prior homeownership and broad household income situation. A program may also evaluate credit, assets, employment, first-mortgage approval, homebuyer education, property type and occupancy. Program household-income calculations may differ from mortgage qualifying income. Share sensitive income records and identification only through the secure portal.
Ask how assistance will be repaid
Before committing, request the actual program terms. Ask whether there is a monthly payment, whether interest accrues, when any forgiveness is earned, and what happens if you sell, refinance, transfer ownership or move out. Also compare the first-mortgage rate and costs, any required buyer contribution and the complete cash to close. Assistance can reduce upfront cash without eliminating all purchase expenses.
Let’s review your next step
Book a phone or Zoom consultation and mention the Florida county where you plan to buy. Harold can discuss your mortgage scenario and help identify assistance pathways to investigate. A program administrator or participating lender must confirm eligibility and available funding. An inquiry is not an award, reservation or commitment. Some programs may require working with another approved participant; no access to every listed program is promised.
A few good questions
Is down payment assistance free money?
Not necessarily. Some programs are repayable loans, while others offer conditional forgiveness. Read the specific agreement and ask about repayment triggers.
Can I combine more than one assistance program?
Only when each program and the first-mortgage lender permit it. Combined assistance, lien priority, closing requirements and program limits need to be checked before assuming the funds can be layered.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Many programs have a first-time buyer requirement, but definitions and exceptions vary. Discuss your prior ownership, occupancy and the specific program rather than assuming you qualify or are excluded.
Is this an official government application?
No. This is an educational inquiry page from Opportunity Mortgage Group, LLC, an independent mortgage brokerage. State or local administrators and participating lenders set and apply the program requirements.
Your next step starts with a conversation.
Opportunity Mortgage Group, LLC is based at 2400 Sand Lake Rd, Suite 777, Orlando, FL 32809. Harold helps borrowers in Florida and Pennsylvania, including Orlando, Clermont and surrounding Central Florida communities.
Phone or Zoom consultations are available Monday–Saturday, 9 AM–7 PM Eastern, subject to availability. You do not need to have every answer before reaching out.
Program information reviewed October 27, 2026. Funding, terms and availability can change. Opportunity Mortgage Group, LLC is not a government agency. No eligibility, assistance award, funding reservation or loan approval is guaranteed.
Prepared October 27, 2026 · Harold Delcham, NMLS #639834 · Educational information; verify current requirements for your scenario.