By Phil Ganz
Edited by Ryan Skerritt
With home prices rising across South Florida, saving for a down payment can feel out of reach for many aspiring homeowners.
The City of Pembroke Pines offers a First‑Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program that helps bridge this gap by providing up to $75,000 in down-payment assistance.
Check Your Florida Down-Payment Assistance Eligibility
This guide explains the program’s benefits, eligibility rules, income and purchase price thresholds, and how to apply.
Overview of the Pembroke Pines Purchase Assistance Program
This city‑run initiative offers a zero‑percent interest, deferred second mortgage to help cover down payments and closing costs.
The assistance, funded through state and federal sources, is forgivable if you occupy your home as your primary residence for the full ten‑year term.
Funds are awarded on a first‑come, first‑qualified basis, and applicants must still secure a 30‑year fixed‑rate first mortgage through an approved lender.
The program is administered in partnership with Community Redevelopment Associates of Florida (CRAFLA), ensuring professional guidance throughout the process.
How the Pembroke Pines Down Payment Assistance Works
The program provides help as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage that does not require monthly payments.
If you stay in the home and use it as your primary residence for the full 10-year term, the loan is fully forgiven.
The amount you receive depends on your income: up to $75,000 if your household income is at or below 80% of the area median, and up to $50,000 if your income falls between 81% and 140% of the median.
Key Benefits for New Homebuyers
Below are the major benefits of using the program:
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Generous assistance amounts: Households earning up to 80 % of area median income (AMI) can receive up to $75,000, while those earning between 81 % and 140 % AMI may be eligible for $50,000.
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No interest and forgivable: The loan carries no interest and is fully forgiven after ten years if you remain in the home as your primary residence.
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Flexible use of funds: Assistance can be applied to both down payment and closing costs, reducing out‑of‑pocket expenses at closing.
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High purchase price limit: Eligible homes can cost up to $679,324 when using SHIP funds, and up to $418,000 with HOME funds, allowing buyers to shop within a broad price range.
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Program compatibility: The city loan can be combined with other assistance programs, including county or lender grants, as long as loan‑to‑value ratios remain within program limits.
Eligibility and Applicant Requirements
Prospective buyers must meet the following criteria:
First‑time buyer status
You cannot currently own a home and must not have owned a residence within the past three years.
Income eligibility
Household income may not exceed 140 % of area median income, with assistance amounts tied to income brackets.
Property type and location
Eligible properties include single‑family homes, townhouses, condominiums, villas, and units in planned developments within Pembroke Pines. Pre‑construction properties are excluded.
Buyer contribution and loan limits
A minimum contribution of 1 % of the purchase price is required, and the combined loan‑to‑value ratio (first mortgage plus assistance) cannot exceed 105 %.
Occupancy and insurance
The home must be used as a primary residence, with hazard and windstorm insurance—and flood insurance where required—maintained throughout the loan term.
Homebuyer education
Applicants must complete an eight‑hour HUD‑approved homebuyer workshop before closing.
Down-Payment Assistance Income & Purchase Price Limits
The amount of assistance you qualify for depends on your household income compared to the Area Median Income (AMI).
Here are a few quick examples to show how the income limits and award amounts work in practice.
Example 1: A family of 4 earning $90,000 is under the 80% AMI limit ($92,200) → they qualify for $75,000.
Example 2: A couple earning $110,000 is between 81%–120% AMI → they qualify for $50,000.
Example 3: A single person earning $120,000 is over the 140% AMI limit ($113,000) → not eligible.
Use the following two tables to see if your income qualifies for your household size:
| Income Category | Definition (relative to AMI) | Assistance Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Low Income | Up to 50% of AMI | $75,000 | Max award for lowest-income households |
| Low Income | 51% – 80% of AMI | $75,000 | Same maximum as very low income |
| Moderate Income | 81% – 120% of AMI | $50,000 | Reduced award |
| Upper Moderate Income | 121% – 140% of AMI | $50,000 | Eligible only with SHIP funds |
| Above 140% AMI | Over 140% of AMI | Not Eligible |
No assistance |
Check your household size to see the income cutoffs that decide which category you fall into.
| Household Size | 50% AMI (Very Low) | 80% AMI (Low) | 120% AMI (Moderate) | 140% AMI (Upper Moderate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $40,350 | $64,550 | $96,840 | $113,000 |
| 2 people | $46,100 | $73,800 | $110,640 | $129,000 |
| 3 people | $51,850 | $83,000 | $124,440 | $145,000 |
| 4 people | $57,650 | $92,200 | $138,360 | $161,000 |
| 5 people | $62,250 | $99,600 | $149,400 | $174,000 |
| 6 people | $66,900 | $107,000 | $160,560 | $187,000 |
| 7 people | $71,500 | $114,350 | $171,600 | $200,000 |
| 8 people | $76,100 | $121,750 | $182,640 | $214,000 |
Check Your Florida Down-Payment Assistance Eligibility
How to Apply for Assistance
Here’s a simplified step‑by‑step process to apply:
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Check Your Eligibility for Free Online Today: Contact CRAFLA to verify current funding and secure pre‑approval for a 30‑year fixed‑rate mortgage from an approved lender.
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Complete homebuyer education: Register for and finish an eight‑hour HUD‑approved homebuyer class, and keep your completion certificate for the application.
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Find a qualifying home: Identify a property within Pembroke Pines that meets program criteria and negotiate a purchase contract with a closing window of 45–60 days.
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Submit your application: Download the latest application from CRAFLA, then submit it with the executed contract, pre‑approval letter, and required income and asset documentation.
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Await eligibility review: Once your application is complete, CRAFLA will verify your income and reserve funds for 30 days. If approved, you’ll receive a conditional award letter and a deadline for closing.
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Finalize and close: Provide the final mortgage commitment and closing documents to CRAFLA, close on the home, and move in. Maintain occupancy and insurance for the ten‑year term to achieve full loan forgiveness.
By following these steps and meeting the program’s guidelines, Pembroke Pines residents can access substantial assistance to make homeownership a reality.
Pembroke Pines Down Payment Assistance FAQs
Here are the most common questions people have about how the program works, answered simply and clearly.
Who is eligible for the program?
First-time homebuyers who have not owned a home in the past three years, plan to live in Pembroke Pines, and meet the income limits are eligible.
How much assistance can I get?
You can receive up to $75,000 if your household income is at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), or up to $50,000 if your income is between 81% and 140% of AMI.
Do I have to repay the assistance?
No monthly payments are required. If you live in the home as your primary residence for 10 years, the loan is fully forgiven.
What types of homes qualify?
Eligible properties include single-family homes, townhouses, condos, villas, or units in planned developments within Pembroke Pines. Pre-construction properties are not allowed.
Are there purchase price limits?
Yes. Homes purchased with SHIP funds must cost $679,324 or less, and those purchased with HOME funds must cost $418,000 or less.
Do I need to contribute my own money?
Yes. Buyers must put in at least 1% of the purchase price from their own funds, in addition to the assistance.
Is homebuyer education required?
Yes. You must complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer workshop before closing.
Can the assistance be combined with other programs?
Yes, you can layer it with other assistance programs, as long as the combined loan-to-value ratio does not exceed program limits.
What happens if I sell or refinance early?
If you sell, transfer, or stop using the home as your primary residence before the 10-year term is up, the balance becomes due.
How do I apply?
You must work with the City’s program partner, CRAFLA. Start by getting pre-approved with a lender, then submit your application with income documentation, a signed purchase contract, and your homebuyer education certificate.
Bottom Line: Pembroke Pines Down Payment Assistance
The Pembroke Pines First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program is designed to make homeownership more affordable for working families.
With awards of up to $75,000 for lower-income households and $50,000 for moderate-income households, it covers much of the upfront cost of buying a home.
Since the loan is interest-free and forgivable after 10 years, it’s one of the most generous local assistance options available.
If you meet the income and property requirements, complete homebuyer education, and apply through CRAFLA, this program can be the key to finally purchasing a home in Pembroke Pines.
With over 50 years of mortgage industry experience, we are here to help you achieve the American dream of owning a home. We strive to provide the best education before, during, and after you buy a home. Our advice is based on experience with Phil Ganz and Team closing over One billion dollars and helping countless families.
About Author - Phil Ganz
Phil Ganz has over 20+ years of experience in the residential financing space. With over a billion dollars of funded loans, Phil helps homebuyers configure the perfect mortgage plan. Whether it's your first home, a complex multiple-property purchase, or anything in between, Phil has the experience to help you achieve your goals.
About Editor - Ryan Skerritt
Ryan Skerritt has over 10+ years of experience in the residential financing space. With over two hundred and fifty million of funded loan volume, Ryan has the skill set to help any homebuyer configure the perfect mortgage plan.
