Florida offers substantial first-time buyer help, but very little of it is a pure “grant” — most is forgivable or deferred assistance that behaves like free money if you stay, plus true grants at the local level.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in Florida in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in Florida?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. In Florida specifically, the statewide help is mostly forgivable and deferred second mortgages, while genuine grants tend to come from local SHIP programs run by counties and cities.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
Florida grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is Florida’s grant-like money, from the state agency to local sources:
- Florida Housing PLUS (HFA Preferred/Advantage) — a forgivable second worth 3%, 4%, or 5% of the loan, forgiven 20% per year over 5 years — so staying five years wipes it out entirely
- Florida Assist & Hometown Heroes — deferred seconds at 0% interest (repaid on sale or refinance, not forgiven); Hometown Heroes provides up to 5% of the loan, roughly $10,000–$35,000, for eligible frontline workers
- Local SHIP grants — many Florida counties and cities offer their own forgivable or grant assistance — often the truest “grants” in the state (see Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa below)
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to Florida first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in Florida or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the Florida programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in Florida
Grant and forgivable programs in Florida share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. Florida Housing sets income limits by county; Hometown Heroes uses a higher cap of 150% of area median income.
- First-time status. Most programs require first-time status, though Hometown Heroes has broader eligibility for qualifying workers.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in Florida
Beyond Florida Housing, check your county or city SHIP program — that is where true local grants usually live, and they can stack with the state help.
Several Florida cities also run their own grant and forgivable programs on top of the state help — see our city guides for Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
Florida first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in Florida have to be repaid?
It depends on the program. Florida Housing’s PLUS assistance is forgivable over five years, so you keep it if you stay. Florida Assist and Hometown Heroes are deferred loans repaid when you sell or refinance. Local SHIP programs can be true grants. Confirm the structure of each.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in Florida?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in Florida or any state today. What is available are Florida’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our Florida programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in Florida?
Most programs require first-time status, though Hometown Heroes has broader eligibility for qualifying workers. Florida Housing sets income limits by county; Hometown Heroes uses a higher cap of 150% of area median income. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
Is Florida Hometown Heroes a grant?
Not exactly — Florida’s Hometown Heroes provides its down payment help as a 0%-interest deferred second mortgage (up to 5% of the loan, roughly $10,000–$35,000), which you repay when you sell or refinance rather than a grant you keep outright. It is still valuable because there is no monthly payment. Its funding is appropriated annually and can be fully committed early, so confirm current availability with Florida Housing.