Florida Hometown Heroes Program
The most widely used DPA program in Florida. Administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount (max ~$35,000) |
| Type | 0% interest, non-amortizing, deferred second mortgage |
| Payments | None — due only when you sell, refinance, or no longer occupy the home |
| Eligible occupations | 50+ professions: teachers, nurses, law enforcement, firefighters, military, child-care workers, skilled trades, and more |
| Requirements | First-time buyer (no ownership in 3 years), Florida resident, full-time employed, must use a Florida Housing approved lender |
| Income limits | Vary by county — check FloridaHousing.org |
Florida Assist (FL Assist)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Up to $10,000 |
| Type | 0% interest deferred second mortgage |
| Payments | None — due when you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage |
| Requirements | First-time buyer, meet FHFC income and purchase price limits, must use FL Housing approved lender |
FL HLP Second Mortgage
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Up to $10,000 |
| Type | 3% interest second mortgage, 15-year term |
| Payments | Monthly payments alongside your primary mortgage |
| Best for | Buyers who don’t qualify for Hometown Heroes or FL Assist |
Hillsborough County Home Sweet Home Program
Updated December 5, 2025 — Assistance amounts increased significantly for buyers outside Tampa city limits.
| Location | Assistance | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Tampa city limits (Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, Plant City, Temple Terrace, etc.) | Up to $30,000 | 30-year deferred, 0% interest second mortgage |
| Inside Tampa city limits | Up to $5,000 | 30-year deferred, 0% interest second mortgage |
Key details:
- Loan is never forgiven — repaid when you sell, refinance, or move out
- Max purchase price: $450,000
- Credit score: 640+
- Income limits: $102,200 (1-2 person), $119,945 (3+ person) for non-target areas
- Higher income limits apply in HUD-designated target census tracts
- Must complete homebuyer education course
- Program details at HillsboroughCountyHFA.org
City of Tampa “Dare to Own the Dream” (DARE)
⚠️ STATUS: Paused as of January 7, 2026 — The City of Tampa suspended new DARE reservation submissions due to limited funding. Packages submitted before January 7, 2026 are still being processed. The city plans to resume when additional state and federal funds are available. Check current status
When active, DARE provides:
- Up to $50,000 toward down payment and closing costs
- 0% interest forgivable loan — forgiven after 20 years of owner-occupancy
- Must be within Tampa city limits
- Household income at or below 140% AMI
- Max purchase price $450,000
- Credit score 600+, max 50% DTI
- Must start with an approved Housing Counseling Agency (HEA, R.E.A.C.H., Solita’s House, or Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services)
- FHA, VA, or Conventional fixed-rate loans only
If DARE is unavailable, the Hillsborough County Home Sweet Home program ($5,000 inside Tampa) and Hometown Heroes (statewide) are your best alternatives for buyers within city limits.
Suncoast Tampa REALTOR® Foundation Grant
- Up to $4,000 for first-time buyers in the Greater Tampa Bay area
- Income must not exceed 120% of Area Median Income
- Can be combined with any other DPA, seller contributions, or gift letters
- Applications open periodically based on funding availability
- Check status at PinellasRealtor.org
Can You Stack Multiple Programs?
Yes — in many cases. For example, a teacher buying in unincorporated Hillsborough County (like Brandon or Riverview) could potentially combine:
- Hometown Heroes (~$15,000-$20,000 on a $350K home)
- Home Sweet Home (up to $30,000)
- REALTOR Foundation Grant (up to $4,000)
Your lender must verify that programs don’t conflict and that total assistance doesn’t exceed program limits. Not every combination works for every buyer — income, credit, and property location all factor in.
How to Apply
- Get pre-approved with a lender who is approved by Florida Housing and familiar with local DPA programs. Not all lenders participate — ask before you start.
- Complete homebuyer education — Most programs require an HUD-approved 8-hour course. Do this early.
- Work with an experienced local agent — Some programs (like DARE) have specific property inspection and documentation requirements your agent needs to coordinate.
Ready to Find Out What You Qualify For?
Book a free 15-minute call to discuss which programs fit your situation.
Book a Free Call Text (813) 733-7907Last Updated: March 2026. Program amounts, eligibility, and availability change frequently. Always verify current details with a participating lender before making financial decisions.