How to Use Down Payment Assistance with an FHA Loan in Florida

With an FHA loan, you can buy a home in Florida with as little as 3.5% down.

When paired with florida down payment assistance, that 3.5% can often be fully covered—along with some or all of your closing costs.

Check Your Eligibility for a Florida FHA Loan with Down Payment Assistance

In this blog, we’ll explain how FHA loans and Florida down payment assistance programs work together to make homeownership more affordable.

What Is an FHA Loan?

An FHA loan  is a government-backed mortgage designed to make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.

With as little as 3.5% down, it allows buyers to enter the market without needing the large savings that many conventional loans require.

FHA loans are also known for their flexible credit standards, making them a great option for people with limited credit history or lower scores.

Because of these benefits, FHA loans are especially popular with first-time buyers and low-to-moderate income households who may not qualify for conventional financing.

How Down Payment Assistance Works

Down payment assistance (DPA) programs are designed to help homebuyers cover the upfront costs of purchasing a home, like the down payment and sometimes closing costs.

In Florida, these programs are often funded at the state, county, or city level to make homeownership more attainable.

Assistance can come in different forms, such as grants you don’t repay, forgivable loans that disappear after you stay in the home for a set time, or deferred loans that don’t require payment until you sell or refinance.

Each program has its own rules, but most are built to ease the financial hurdle of getting into your first home.

To qualify, buyers typically need to meet income limits, purchase price caps, and credit score requirements, and many programs are aimed at first-time or returning buyers who haven’t owned a home in the last three years. 

Check Your Eligibility for a Florida FHA Loan with Down Payment Assistance

Using Down Payment Assistance with an FHA Loan in Florida

When you use an FHA loan, you’re required to put down at least 3.5% of the purchase price. With Florida down payment assistance programs, that 3.5% can often be fully covered—meaning you may not need to bring any of your own money for the down payment.

On top of that, many programs also provide funds to help with closing costs, which can add thousands of dollars to the upfront expense of buying a home.

Here’s how the process works step by step:

1. Apply for an FHA loan through an approved lender to confirm you meet credit and income requirements.

2. Apply for a Florida DPA program
   —such as Florida Hometown Heroes or FL Assist—at the same time, often directly through the same lender.

3. Combine the approvals so the DPA funds cover your FHA down payment (and possibly closing costs), leaving you responsible for little or no money out of pocket at closing.

This pairing makes it possible for qualified buyers to purchase a home in Florida much sooner than if they had to save the entire down payment and closing costs on their own.

10 Best Florida DPA Programs to Pair with an FHA Loan

Florida offers dozens of down payment assistance options, but here are 10 of the most impactful programs to consider pairing with an FHA loan.

1. Florida Hometown Heroes Loan Program

• Up to 5% of loan (max $35K), 0% interest, forgivable after 5 years.

• Best for essential workers and military.

2. Florida Plus TBA DPA Program

• 3–5% of loan as repayable second mortgage.

• Best for non-Hero buyers needing flexible options.

3. Florida Bond – FL Assist

• $10K, 0% interest, deferred until sale/refi.

• Best for first-time buyers wanting no monthly payment.

4. Florida Bond – FL HLP

• $12.5K, 3% interest, monthly payment required.

• Best for buyers who can handle a small second mortgage.

5. Miami-Dade County Program

• Up to $35K, 0% interest, partially forgivable after 6 years.

• Best for first-time buyers in Miami-Dade.

6. Fort Lauderdale Program

• Up to $75K, deferred 15 years, no interest.

• Best for buyers needing high local assistance.

7. Orlando Program

• Up to $45K based on income.

• Best for first-time buyers in Orlando, with priority for city workers.

8. Tampa “Dare to Own the Dream”

• Up to $50K, forgivable after 20 years.

• Best for long-term Tampa residents.

9. Jacksonville Program

• Up to $25K, income up to 120% AMI.

• Best for first-time buyers in Duval County.

10. Local SHIP Programs (Statewide)

• $7.5K–$30K, varies by county.

• Best for buyers outside major metros.

Want to explore even more options? We’ve compiled a full list of  70 Florida down payment assistance programs you can browse.

Check Your Eligibility for a Florida FHA Loan with Down Payment Assistance

Benefits of Pairing FHA with DPA

The biggest advantage of combining an FHA loan with down payment assistance is the ability to dramatically lower your upfront costs—often eliminating the need for a down payment and reducing or covering closing costs.

Key benefits include

• Covering the FHA-required 3.5% down payment

• Reducing or eliminating closing costs

• Making homeownership attainable sooner

• Keeping your savings intact for emergencies or home repairs

• Allowing more financial flexibility after moving in

This makes homeownership a more accessible path for Florida buyers who might otherwise struggle to save enough to qualify.

On top of that, using assistance lets you preserve your savings for emergencies or future expenses, giving you more financial security after you move in.

How to Get Started

If you’re considering using down payment assistance with an FHA loan in Florida, the process is straightforward when you break it into a few simple steps:

1. Check your eligibility for an FHA loan – Make sure you meet the basic requirements, including minimum credit score, stable income, and ability to afford monthly payments.

2. Explore Florida DPA programs – Florida offers a wide range of assistance, and we’ve compiled a list of over 70 programs across the state—from statewide options like Florida Hometown Heroes and FL Assist to local city and county grants.

3. Work with a lender experienced in both FHA and DPA – The right lender can guide you through applying for both programs at the same time, ensuring the assistance is applied correctly to your loan.

Taking these steps early will help you understand your options and put you in the best position to secure both financing and assistance for your home purchase.

Check Your Eligibility for a Florida FHA Loan with Down Payment Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions about using down payment assistance with an FHA loan in Florida.

Do FHA loans allow down payment assistance?

Yes, FHA guidelines permit approved down payment assistance programs to cover the required 3.5% down payment and even closing costs.

Can I get down payment assistance if I’m not a first-time homebuyer?

Yes, many Florida programs are for first-time buyers, but some allow “returning buyers” who haven’t owned a home in the past three years.

What credit score do I need for FHA with DPA?

Most Florida programs require a minimum 640 FICO score, though FHA itself allows scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down.

How much assistance can I get in Florida?

Depending on the program, you may qualify for $7,500 to $75,000 or up to 5% of the loan amount.

Do I have to repay down payment assistance?

Some programs are forgivable after a set period, while others are deferred loans due at sale or refinance—terms vary by program.

Can I combine FHA with local city or county programs?

Yes, many buyers layer statewide assistance with local SHIP or city programs to maximize support.

How long does it take to close with DPA?

Adding DPA may add some paperwork, but most programs close within the same timeframe as a standard FHA loan.

Can I use DPA more than once?

Generally, no—you can only use down payment assistance once, since most programs are aimed at first-time buyers.

Does DPA affect my loan terms?

It can, since some programs add a second mortgage or deferred lien, which may impact refinancing later.

How do I know which Florida program is right for me?

The best program depends on your income, location, and loan type—reviewing options (like our list of 70 programs) is the best first step.

Bottom Line

Pairing an FHA loan with Florida down payment assistance can dramatically reduce the cash you need to buy a home—often covering your entire 3.5% down payment and even part of your closing costs.

With more than 70 programs available statewide, there’s likely an option that fits your situation, whether you’re a first-time buyer, essential worker, or simply in need of extra support.

The key is to explore your eligibility early and work with a lender who understands both FHA and DPA programs so you can maximize the benefits.