How much assistance could be available?
Florida Housing publishes assistance of up to 5% of the total first mortgage, with a $10,000 minimum and $35,000 maximum. It is a 0% deferred second mortgage, not a forgivable grant. Repayment is triggered by events including sale, refinance, deed transfer or ending primary-residence occupancy.
Its 2026 categories include eligible full-time Florida-based health care, school, first responder, public safety/court and child care employment; specified military service; and qualifying full-time employed veterans. First-time-buyer and income requirements also apply. Use the official program page for occupation examples and county limits.
Is funding available right now?
Live reservation availability is not displayed on this website. A published program page is not proof that funds can be reserved today. Ask RFG to confirm availability through the participating lender before relying on assistance in an offer.
Keep three questions separate: Do I meet the program criteria? Does the first mortgage qualify? Can funds actually be reserved for this transaction? A preapproval does not, by itself, answer all three.
Prepare for an eligibility conversation
- Your exact job title, employer and work location; describe your role rather than relying on a title alone.
- The county where you plan to buy and whether the property will be your primary residence.
- Your recent homeownership history, including ownership with someone else.
- Approximate purchase price, available savings and intended purchase timeline.
- Military or veteran status when relevant. Submit supporting documents only through the secure application process.
Compare assistance with your other options
Ask for two written scenarios using the same property and down payment assumptions: one with assistance and one without. Compare cash needed, monthly payment, mortgage insurance and the remaining second-mortgage obligation. Assistance can solve an upfront cash problem while creating a future repayment obligation.
Illustrative planning question: If you expect to refinance in a few years, how would repayment of the assistance affect that transaction? Do not assume a future refinance will absorb it automatically.
Questions clients ask
Does my job title alone determine eligibility?
No. Bring the employer and employment details to the team so the applicable program criteria can be checked. Avoid assuming that every role within an industry qualifies.
Should I wait until I find a house to ask?
An early conversation gives you time to prepare documents and compare alternatives. Confirm funding and transaction requirements again when you are ready to proceed.
What if assistance is unavailable?
Ask for a separate plan using available savings, permissible gifts, negotiated credits and eligible loan options. These are different sources with different rules; do not assume they can all be combined.
Sources and editorial information
Published by The Rice Financial Group. Editorial update: October 14, 2026. How we prepare our resources.
Educational information, not an approval, rate quote or commitment to lend. Program rules, pricing and availability can change. Confirm the requirements for your borrower, property and transaction with the mortgage team.
Make the information personal.
Tell us what you are planning and where you need clarity. You do not need to be ready to apply to ask a question.
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