Florida ยท Sarasota ยท Manatee ยท Statewide
Florida Down Payment Assistance Programs
State help, county help, and how to stack them.
Florida Housing offers statewide assistance for eligible buyers, including the Hometown Heroes program for workers in many essential professions, and counties like Manatee and Sarasota run their own programs. We'll check which ones you qualify for and pair them with the right first mortgage.
What down payment assistance is available in Florida? Florida Housing Finance Corporation runs statewide programs through approved lenders. The Hometown Heroes program provides up to 5% of the first mortgage amount (minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000) as a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible first-time buyers who work full time for a Florida-based employer in qualifying fields such as healthcare, education, public safety, childcare and the military, including veterans. Florida Housing also offers other deferred-second and grant-style assistance paired with its first mortgages. Many counties, including Manatee and Sarasota, run local programs that can sometimes be combined. Income, price and credit limits apply, and funding can run out. The Galli Team in Bradenton helps Florida buyers apply.
Statewide programs
Florida Housing programs.
Hometown Heroes
Up to 5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum, as a 0%, 30-year deferred second mortgage. For first-time buyers employed full time by a Florida-based employer in eligible professions, plus military members and veterans. Repaid when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed or stop living there.
Other Florida Housing assistance
Florida Housing also offers deferred second-mortgage assistance and grant-style help that pairs with its first mortgage programs. Amounts and availability change through the year, so we confirm what's open when you apply.
Pairs with your first mortgage
Florida Housing assistance is used with FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgages through approved lenders, with a homebuyer education course. VA & FHA โ
Program details summarized from Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Funding, income limits and terms change; we verify current rules for your file.
County programs
Local help in Manatee & Sarasota.
Manatee County
Manatee County offers down payment assistance for eligible buyers purchasing a primary home in the county, including Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish and Palmetto. See the Manatee program โ
Sarasota County
Sarasota County periodically opens purchase assistance funding for income-eligible buyers, often through its SHIP housing program. Funding windows open and close, so we watch for them and let you know.
City programs
Some cities run their own assistance in addition to the county. We check city, county and state options together.
Elsewhere in Florida
Buying in Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers or anywhere else in Florida? Most counties have something. We're licensed statewide and will check yours.
Eligibility check
Which Florida programs might fit you?
Answer four questions for a first read. We'll confirm with real income limits for your county.
We'll confirm income and price limits for your county.
"Florida's programs change and funding moves fast. Getting pre-approved early is the best way to be ready when the money is available."Chris Galli ยท Region Manager ยท Novus Home Mortgage ยท NMLS #13152 ยท Bradenton
Get matched ยท No hard credit pull
Let's find your Florida assistance.
Tell us where you're buying and what you do for work. We'll check state and county programs and walk you through applying.
Rather talk now? Call (941) 529-1040 or book a call.
Quick answers
Florida assistance FAQ.
What down payment assistance is available in Florida?
How much is the Florida Hometown Heroes program?
Who qualifies for Hometown Heroes?
Do I have to repay Florida down payment assistance?
Is there down payment assistance in Manatee County?
Is there down payment assistance in Sarasota County?
Can I combine state and county assistance?
Ready when you are
One call. A real answer.
Fifteen minutes with Chris or the team, no hard credit pull, and you'll know which Florida programs fit and what to do next.