Forgivable loan
City of Winter Haven SHIP Purchase Assistance
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single Family · Condo · Townhouse
Down payment assistance · Polk County
Buying a home in Winter Haven, FL
1 Winter Haven program, 2 county programs and 26 statewide.Winter Haven has 1 program of its own, 2 more across Polk County, and 26 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Winter Haven addresses
Winter Haven’s own program
Anywhere in PolkAnywhere in Polk County
2 county programs2 county programs a Winter Haven homebuyer can also use
1 more program is for homes in Lakeland. See them 1 program in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not Winter Haven
- Lakeland — City of Lakeland First-Time Homebuyers Program
The Winter Haven marketThe Winter Haven housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Winter Haven
- 65.6% single-familysingle-family
- 3.6% townhousetownhouse
- 8.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 16.4% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 6.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 3 of Winter Haven’s local and county programs accept condos.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Winter Haven’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
33.8%
of Winter Haven 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.
$83,900
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Polk County, 4-person household (2026)
$59,648
Winter Haven median household incomeMedian household income in Winter Haven (Census, 2024)
30 of the 91 programs here set their income limit as a share of Polk County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Polk County
Free help nearbyFree help near Winter Haven
1 HUD-approved counseling agency within 15 miles1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency within 15 miles
3 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 3 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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Across Florida and nationwide
88 statewide & federal programs26 statewide programs, plus federal options
Winter Haven questions
Does Winter Haven have its own down payment program?
Yes, one: City of Winter Haven SHIP Purchase Assistance, a forgivable loan for first-time homebuyers (forgiven over 10 yrs, income limits). It is for homes inside Winter Haven.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Winter Haven?
All 3 of Winter Haven’s local and county programs accept condos. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Polk County?
Each program sets its own. 30 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Polk County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Winter Haven?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 1 agency is within 15 miles of Winter Haven. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
33880 · 33881 · 33882 · 33883 · 33884 · 33885 · 33888
Nearby in Polk
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–July 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.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). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.