Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance and First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Down payment assistance programs in Hillsborough County

Down payment assistance and first time home buyer programs aim to help home buyers make a larger down payment, cover closing costs, or a combination of both. There are several types of home buyer benefits, including grants, forgivable loans, and interest rate reductions and tax credits.

A grant is similar to a scholarship for college. You apply, and if you qualify for the program (i.e. meet all the criteria and the entity still has the money), you can receive funds toward your down payment or for another upfront cost related to your home purchase. 

A down payment loan (or second mortgage loan) is a loan you acquire in order to have the funds for a down payment. Many loan types require a minimum down payment between 3% and 20%. If you don’t have this money saved (many first-time home buyers don’t) then a down payment loan is an option to help you qualify. Some loans are even forgivable if you meet certain requirements like staying in the home for a few years.

Less commonly, some programs come with lower interest rates and tax credits (e.g., mortgage credit certificates) to help lower your monthly payments.

Hillsborough County Payment Assistance

Hillsborough County’s Housing Finance Authority offers potential homeowners two payment assistance programs: the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) Down Payment Assistance and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program. The HHF Down Payment Assistance Program provides forgivable loan assistance to settle hefty down payments and closing costs. On the other hand, the Home Sweet Home (HSH) program helps applicants overcome the hurdle of expensive down payments with deferred payment loans.

Assistance type: Forgivable loan, Deferred payment loan

Sponsor: Hillsborough County

Assistance amount: About $15,000 in assistance funds for HHF assistance and $10,000 in funds for the HSH program.

Minimum borrower contribution: None

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants and their spouses must be first-time homebuyers and US permanent residents.
• All applicants must have a FICO mid score of at least 640 and a debt-to-income ratio no higher than 45 percent.
• For the HHF assistance, the annual household income must be within $59,800 for one or two persons and $68,770 for three or more persons.

Statewide down payment assistance programs available in Hillsborough County

Florida Housing Finance Corporation

The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) is a state agency established to assist low to moderate-income individuals and families across the state in obtaining safe, decent, and affordable housing. This agency provides several programs, including a Hometown Heroes Program for eligible community workforce and the Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program, designed to provide purchase assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible homebuyers can also explore FHFC’s Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCC).

Assistance type: Deferred payment loan

Sponsor: FHFC

Assistance amount: 5% of the first mortgage loan amount for the HHP and 10% to 50% of their mortgage interest for MCC

Minimum borrower contribution: None

Eligibility requirements

• These programs are available to the full-time workforce employed by a Florida-based employer.
• The home must be a primary residence in the community where applicants work and serve.
• Applicants must meet income requirements and loan limits.

Florida Down Payment Assistance

Unlike some down payment assistance programs and other mortgage financing options available, the Florida Down Payment Assistance program provides free mortgage financing as a service to the local Florida community. These programs include loan funds, conventional mortgage financing, mortgage grants, and other down payment assistance options across various Florida counties.

Assistance type: Deferred payment loan, Grants

Sponsor: Mid Florida Realty

Assistance amount: Depends on the assistance program

Minimum borrower contribution: None

Eligibility requirements

• Applicants must meet each program’s county Area Median Income (AMI) income limit and other unique requirements.
• Eligible applicants must be US citizens, permanent and non-permanent aliens with a valid social security number, an acceptable visa or employment authorization documentation.
• Assistance must be used for primary residence only.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal or financial advice. Please consult an attorney, mortgage lender, or CPA for guidance on your specific situation.