Florida Assist (FL Assist)
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Florida.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Qualified veterans or buyers in targeted areas exempt from FTHB requirement
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A minimum 640 credit score
- A completed homebuyer education course
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- A home in Florida
It doesn’t cover
- Households above 115% of area median income
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
115% of the area median income where the home is
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Florida’s homesFlorida’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 54.7% single-familysingle-family
- 6.7% townhousetownhouse
- 5.9% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 24.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 8.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$359,000
Florida median home value
34%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program before funds are reserved.
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-Come-First-Served, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is Florida Assist (FL Assist)?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Florida. Florida Housing Finance Corporation program offering $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments. Repayment is deferred until sale, refinance, transfer, or payoff of the first mortgage. Available statewide to eligible first-time homebuyers, qualified veterans, and buyers in targeted areas. $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. 0% interest with no monthly payments. deferred repayment until sale, refinance, or end of first mortgage. available with FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans statewide. no forgiveness — full repayment required at triggering event. Funding comes from State.
How much assistance does it provide?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) offers up to $10,000 in assistance. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Sale, Refinance, and Transfer of Title. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Qualified veterans or buyers in targeted areas exempt from FTHB requirement. The program lists a minimum credit score of 640. A homebuyer education course is required. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
What are the income limits?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Income limits vary by county and household size, set by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Generally up to 80%-120% AMI depending on county. Eligible veterans and buyers in targeted areas may have higher limits. Check current limits at floridahousing.org. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) caps the purchase price as follows: Purchase price limits vary by county; set by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Check current limits at floridahousing.org. Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, Townhouse, 2-4 Unit, and New Construction.
Where does it apply?
Florida Assist (FL Assist) serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in Florida. The program targets specific areas: Federally designated targeted areas throughout Florida where income and purchase price limits may be higher and FTHB requirement may be waived. Check floridahousing.org for targeted area census tracts.
How do you apply?
Applications for Florida Assist (FL Assist) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-Come-First-Served. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Florida homebuyersOther programs open to Florida homebuyers
- Florida Hometown HeroesUp to $35,000
- Salute Our Soldiers Military Loan ProgramUp to $35,000
- Florida HLP Second MortgageUp to $10,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 88 programs for FloridaProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.