Last updated: September 24, 2026
The short answer: Florida has statewide help for first-time buyers, and Orange County, the City of Orlando, and Osceola County each run their own programs. Most of this help is a second loan rather than free money, nearly all of it has income limits and rules, and availability opens and closes through the year. Right now some programs are open and some are not, which is exactly why you should check before you plan around any of them.
What's Open Right Now
As of September 24, 2026:
- Hometown Heroes: available in Florida.
- Orange County down payment assistance: temporarily closed, expected to reopen around mid-November.
- Osceola County: not accepting applications at this time.
- City of Orlando and other Florida Housing programs: check current availability with a participating lender.
Funding rounds change without much notice. If you are planning a purchase around one of these, confirm the current status before you make decisions based on it.
"Grants" vs. Loans: Know the Difference
A lot of people search for grants. Here is the honest version. Most down payment help in Florida comes as a second loan:
- Deferred loans. No monthly payment. You repay when you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage.
- Forgivable loans. Part or all of it goes away if you live in the home for a set number of years.
- True grants. Less common, and they still come with rules.
None of that is bad. It just means you should know what you are signing.
Who Counts as a First-Time Buyer
You may count as a first-time buyer even if you owned a home before. Many programs use this rule: you have not owned a home you lived in during the past three years. Some programs make exceptions for veterans and certain other buyers.
This catches people out in a good way. Plenty of buyers assume they are disqualified and never ask.
Statewide: Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Florida Housing offers first mortgage programs and down payment assistance through approved lenders across the state. You apply through a participating lender, not directly with Florida Housing.
Hometown Heroes is its program for eligible full-time workers in many fields. It is currently available, but funding arrives in rounds and can run out, so ask a participating lender where things stand before you build a plan around it.
Local Help in Central Florida
Orange County. Offers down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers who meet income limits. Currently closed, expected to reopen around mid-November.
City of Orlando. Runs its own down payment assistance for eligible buyers purchasing within the city. Confirm current availability.
Osceola County (Kissimmee, St. Cloud). Offers purchase and down payment assistance through its SHIP program. Not accepting applications at this time.
Local programs often have waitlists when they reopen, so it pays to have your paperwork ready before a window opens rather than after.
Loan Types That Help First-Time Buyers
- FHA loans. Lower down payment options and more flexible credit rules for qualifying buyers.
- VA loans. No down payment for eligible veterans and service members. I am a U.S. Army veteran and I work with a lot of VA buyers.
- USDA loans. No down payment in eligible areas for buyers who meet income limits.
- Conventional loans. Some low down payment options for qualifying buyers.
What These Programs Usually Require
Every program is different, but most ask for some combination of:
- Income under a set limit, based on household size and county
- A minimum credit score
- A homebuyer education class
- A home you will live in as your main home
- A purchase price under a set limit
- Using a lender approved for that program
Other Ways People Cover the Down Payment
- Gift money from family, with the right paperwork
- A co-signer or non-occupant co-borrower, depending on the loan
- Retirement funds, such as a 401(k) loan or withdrawal. Talk to a financial or tax professional first, because there are real trade-offs.
- Seller or builder credits toward closing costs, when you can negotiate them
"Can I Afford a $300K House on $50K a Year?"
It depends on more than income. Your debts, credit, down payment, interest rate, property taxes, insurance, HOA, and CDD fees all change the answer. Two people with identical incomes can get very different results.
Fees matter more than most buyers expect here. See our guide: HOA vs. CDD Fees in Central Florida.
Turned Down Before?
A no usually comes with a reason: credit, debt, savings, or timing. Many of those reasons can be fixed, and often faster than people expect. A lender review shows you exactly what stopped you and what is still in the way.
The Bottom Line
There is real help for first-time buyers in Central Florida. The rules are specific, the funding windows move, and most of it is a loan rather than free money. The worst thing you can do is assume you do not qualify and never ask.
Want to know which programs might fit you? Take my 90-second quiz. No credit pull. Not a loan application. I can also connect you with a trusted lender for a quick review.
Questions? Call or text me at (321) 320-7129.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there first-time home buyer grants in Florida?
Some programs offer true grants, but most Florida down payment help comes as a second loan. Some are deferred until you sell or refinance, and some are forgiven over time if you stay in the home. Each program has its own rules.
Who qualifies as a first-time home buyer in Florida?
Many programs count you as a first-time buyer if you have not owned a home you lived in during the past three years. Some programs make exceptions for veterans. Rules vary by program.
Is down payment assistance available in Orange and Osceola County right now?
Availability changes through the year. As of September 24, 2026, Orange County's program is temporarily closed and expected to reopen around mid-November, and Osceola County is not accepting applications. Check current status before planning around either one.
What is Hometown Heroes and is it open?
Hometown Heroes is a Florida Housing program for eligible full-time workers in many fields. As of September 24, 2026, it is available in Florida. Funding comes in rounds and can run out, so confirm with a participating lender before counting on it.
Can I buy a home in Florida with bad credit?
It depends on the loan and the program. Some options have more flexible credit rules than people expect. A lender review shows what is possible now and what would need to change first.
Cliff Clover, REALTOR | The Clover Group at eXp Realty | (321) 320-7129 | Serving Central Florida since 2001, with 1,800+ transactions.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a commitment to lend. Program terms, funding, and availability change. Confirm current details with an approved lender or the program's official website.