Down Payment Assistance Programs for Miami-Dade and Broward Buyers

Short answer

A first-time buyer in Miami-Dade or Broward can get up to $35,000 from Florida Hometown Heroes, up to $35,000 from Miami-Dade County, or up to $75,000 from the City of Fort Lauderdale, usually as a 0% deferred second mortgage for households at or below 80% to 120% of area median income. All run through approved lenders. Figures were verified on official pages in October 2026.

Statewide programs from Florida Housing

Florida Housing Finance Corporation programs work in every county and pair with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages.

• Hometown Heroes. 5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 to $35,000, as a 0% deferred second with no monthly payment, repaid when you sell, refinance or move out. As of October 2026 Florida Housing lists as eligible first-time, income-qualified buyers employed full time by a Florida-based employer in an eligible occupation, plus active military, Florida National Guard and employed veterans. Income and loan limits are by county.
• Florida Assist (FL Assist). Up to $10,000, 0% deferred, not forgivable, due on sale, refinance or move-out. Works with FHA, VA, USDA and conventional first mortgages.
• HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS. 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan as a forgivable second, forgiven 20% a year over five years, only with Florida Housing's conventional HFA Preferred or HFA Advantage first mortgage.
• Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP). $12,500 at 3%, amortized over 30 years. The monthly payment counts in your debt-to-income ratio.

One Florida Housing second per loan, and the first mortgage must come from a participating lender. Rates vary; call for today's pricing.

Miami-Dade County and City of Miami

Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (Public Housing and Community Development) offers up to $35,000 as a 0% deferred loan for up to 30 years, with the balance due at maturity, sale, transfer or refinance. As of October 2026 income caps are $95,620 for one person and $136,500 for four. You must be a county resident and first-time buyer, put in 1% of the price yourself, finish HUD-approved counseling and keep total financing at or below 105% of the price. Sell early and the county shares your profit: 100% in years one to three, 50% in years four to six, nothing after.

City of Miami First-Time Homebuyer Program is a 0% deferred loan for buyers at or below 80% of area median income purchasing inside city limits (the folio number starts with 01). Houses, townhomes and condos up to $494,000 (effective December 1, 2025) qualify; the first mortgage must be a 30-year fixed, and you need $500 of your own money. The City does not publish a dollar cap. Its share of any gain on an early sale fades from year three to zero at year 20. Apply through the Department of Housing and Community Development, 305-416-2080, with a participating lender.

Both can sit behind an FHA or conventional first mortgage from QMS Lending if the lender is approved with the county or city. Ask before you write an offer; counseling and application take time.

Broward County and Fort Lauderdale

Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance (HPA) is a 0% deferred loan for 15 years, satisfied if you keep the home as your primary residence and repaid if you sell or transfer title. The July 2025 county flyer lists up to $40,000 or $50,000 depending on the community (headline up to $80,000) for first-time buyers at or below 80% of area median income (120% in Hollywood). The 2025 cap is $64,550 for one person and $92,200 for four. Maximum price $636,806; 3% non-borrowed funds, 1% your own. Eligible areas include Davie, Coral Springs, Plantation, Weston, Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach and unincorporated Broward (full list on the flyer). Many showed no funds in July 2025, so check first at 954-357-4943.

City of Fort Lauderdale Housing Purchase Assistance provides up to $75,000 as a 15-year deferred payment loan to first-time buyers with very low to moderate income (2025 caps: $64,550 for one person, $92,200 for four). Houses, townhouses, condos and villas inside Fort Lauderdale qualify. Subject to funding; run through nonprofit agencies listed by the City (954-828-6024).

Pembroke Pines had no current, verifiable program page with amounts and terms as of October 2026, so it is not in the table; its buyers can still use the Florida Housing programs.

How to stack programs and what to watch

• Order matters. Pick the first mortgage (FHA, conventional or VA), then the Florida Housing second, then county or city money.
• Deferred is not free. A 0% deferred loan is repaid when you sell or refinance.
• Forgivable has a clock. HFA PLUS forgives over five years; FHLBank grants have a five-year retention period.
• Funds run out. County and city programs are first-come, first-served. Verify before you sign a contract.
• Check the table for more. City of Hollywood assistance (up to 120% AMI, Neighborhood Pride area) and FHLBank Atlanta grants through member banks (up to $12,500 FHP and $15,000 Community Partners in the 2024 round) are listed above with sources.

QMS Lending is a bilingual independent mortgage broker in Doral (NMLS #1781090). Programs are subject to availability and credit approval and rules change; figures were retrieved in October 2026 from the sources listed. Call 305-425-1990. Equal Housing Opportunity.