Home Buyer Assistance

First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Miami-Dade / Miami
Nov., 2025

  1. Miami-Dade Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program
  2. Affordable Homeownership Program (Miami-Dade County)
    • Offers a low-interest 2nd or 3rd mortgage to help bring down out-of-pocket costs. 
    • Uses CDBG, HOME, SHIP, or surtax funds. 
    • Requires you to work with a participating first mortgage lender.
  3. Axis Helps Miami (Down Payment Assistance)
    • Up to $35,000 interest-free down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Miami-Dade. Axis Helps
    • Requires a HUD-certified first-time homebuyer education course. 
    • If you stay in the home for 6 years, the loan may be forgiven.
  4. Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) Homeownership Assistance Program
    • Offers up to $28,000 for down payment and closing costs. Miami-Dade Advocacy Trust Grant
    • Zero-interest, deferred loan. 
    • Can be combined with other local, state, or federal programs. 
    • Income eligibility goes up to 140% of Area Median Income (AMI) (check current numbers). 
  5. City of Miami — First-Time Homebuyer Program
    • For properties within the City of Miami (folio # begins with “01”). Miami.gov
    • Zero-percent deferred loan.
    • Income must be ≤ 80% of area median. 
    • You must put in at least $500 of your own funds toward down payment / closing. 
    • Attend a homebuyer counseling workshop. 
    • There are resale restrictions and “gain-sharing” if you sell before a certain time. 
  6. SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) — Miami-Dade County
    • SHIP funds are used by the county to assist with down payment, closing costs, or even first mortgage subsidies. Miami-Dade County+1
    • Deferred, 0% loan; max award is $35,000 per the county’s LHAP. 
    • Requires a HUD-certified homebuyer education course. 
  7. Miami-Dade County Employee First-Time Homebuyer Program
    • Specifically for Miami-Dade County employees. Miami-Dade County+1
    • Can use accrued annual leave for down payment / closing costs.
    • Must have no home ownership in the last 3 years.
  8. Housing Finance Authority (HFA) – Miami-Dade County
    • The HFA offers mortgage products for first-time homebuyers. HFA MIAMI
    • They work with approved lenders to provide favorable financing.

 

Area Median Income (AMI)

For Miami‑Dade County (Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall MSA), the FY 2025 median family income (MFI) is $87,200. HUD User+3Miami-Dade County+3flhousingdata.shimberg.ufl.edu+3

Here are a few reference points:

If you tell me your household size, I can pull the income limit for your specific household under the assistance programs.

 

Major First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida

  1. Florida Housing – First-Time Homebuyer Program (“Homebuyer Program”)
  2. Florida Assist (FL Assist)
    • A down payment & closing cost assistance program offered by Florida Housing. Florida Housing
    • Provides up to $10,000. Florida Housing+1
    • 0% interest, non-amortizing, deferred second mortgage — repayment is triggered when you sell, refinance, or otherwise no longer occupy. Florida Housing
  3. Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP)
    • Provides up to $10,000 as a second mortgage. Florida Housing
    • This is a 3% interest, 15-year fully-amortizing second mortgage. Florida Housing+1
    • Repayment is deferred (due when you sell, refinance, transfer deed, or stop occupancy). Florida Housing
  4. Florida Hometown Heroes Program
    • Initially aimed at frontline workers / essential services, but now open to all first-time homebuyers (while funds last). 1floridalending.com+1
    • Provides up to 5% of the first mortgage amount, capped at $35,000. 1floridalending.com+1
    • Structured as a 0% interest, non-amortizing, 30-year deferred second mortgage. 1floridalending.com
    • Repayment due when you sell, refinance, or the first mortgage is paid off. 1floridalending.com
  5. HFA (Housing Finance Authority) Preferred / Advantage PLUS Grants
    • These are second mortgages (or “grants”) to help with down payment & closing costs. Quicken Loans+1
    • Can be 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage amount. Quicken Loans
    • For some of these, the second mortgage is forgivable (e.g., forgiven over 5 years). Quicken Loans
  6. Local / County / City Programs
    There are many local programs on top of the state ones. Some examples:
    • Tampa (“Dare to Own the Dream”) — up to $50,000 for first-time buyers (down payment & closing cost). FHA.com
    • Lee County – FirstPlus Program — down payment & closing cost assistance. FHA.com+1
    • Orlando — local down payment assistance program, up to ~$45,000, depending on income & other factors. makefloridayourhome.com+1
    • SHIP Program (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) — many counties use SHIP funds to help with first-time buyer down payments. ez Home Search

Key Notes / Things to Watch