Alachua County SHIP Down Payment Assistance
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 10 yrs · Income limit 120% of AMI
Single Family, Condo, Townhouse
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Florida
Buying a home in Alachua County, FL
1 county-wide program, 1 city with their own, plus 22 statewide and 62 nationwide.Alachua has 1 program that covers the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 22 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in AlachuaAnywhere in Alachua County
1 program for every Alachua address1 program that covers every Alachua address
It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.This is run for the whole county, so a home in Gainesville, Alachua or High Springs can use it. It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Alachua, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Alachua city with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 1.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 1 county-wide program above.
The Alachua marketThe Alachua housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Alachua
- 50.3% single-familysingle-family
- 5.1% townhousetownhouse
- 8.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 29.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 6.5% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. The one county-wide program and the one city program list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Alachua’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
34.5%
of Alachua homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$99,100
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Alachua County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$61,949
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Alachua (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
54.1%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Florida: 67.6%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 25 of the 86 programs here set their income limit as a share of Alachua County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Alachua County
Free help in AlachuaFree help in Alachua
2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county2 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Alachua County
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 2 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Alachua County.
7 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Alachua CountyAll 7 cities and places in Alachua County
has a program of its own
Alachua questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Alachua?
The 1 county-wide program cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Gainesville’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Alachua County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Alachua programs accept condos?
The one county-wide program and the one city program list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Alachua?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 2 agencies have an office in Alachua County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–July 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.