See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Alafaya, FL (2026)
Alafaya is a census-designated community of approximately 95,000 residents in Orange County, located just east of Orlando near the University of Central Florida. With a median home price around $405,000, buyers here benefit from strong Orange County programs since Alafaya is unincorporated and does not have its own city government. The Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $70,000 for very low-income buyers and up to $40,000 for low-income buyers, while the Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) offers up to $80,000. Statewide, the Florida Hometown Heroes program adds up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers. By combining county, state, and federal programs, Alafaya buyers can potentially stack well over $100,000 in total assistance.
County Programs in Orange County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCHFA Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance combined with competitive first mortgage rates | Yes | View → |
| Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income), or $10,000 (moderate income) | Yes | View → |
| Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $80,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance combined with competitive first mortgage rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income), or $10,000 (moderate income)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $80,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program | Forgivable Loan | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (HFA Advantage PLUS TBA, Freddie Mac first mortgage only) | Yes | View → |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the total first mortgage loan amount (HFA Advantage PLUS TBA, Freddie Mac first mortgage only)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payments never exceed 30% of household income | No | View → |
| NACA Purchase Program (Orlando) | Grant | No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate | No | View → |
| NeighborWorks Orange County Homebuyer Assistance | Deferred Loan | Down payment assistance available through counseling and program matching | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payments never exceed 30% of household income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment assistance available through counseling and program matching
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Your household income must qualify per Orange County income limits. For the Down Payment Assistance Program, income tiers range from very low income (up to $70,000 in assistance) to moderate income (up to $10,000). You must be a first-time homebuyer with no homeownership in the past 3 years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Attend a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Orange County offers courses in the area and can be reached at (407) 704-7368. They also provide one-on-one housing counseling.
Step 3: Contact the Orange County Housing and Community Development Division. Call (407) 836-5150 to learn about current program availability and begin your application for the Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program or the Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP).
Step 4: Apply for the OCHFA Homebuyer Program. The Orange County Housing Finance Authority provides additional assistance through competitive first mortgage rates with down payment and closing cost help. Contact the OCHFA for current program details.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional lender. The county assistance can be paired with any of these loan types.
Step 6: Find a home in the Alafaya area. The property must be located within Orange County and serve as your primary residence. Verify property eligibility with the county before making an offer.
Step 7: Submit your complete application. Your lender will coordinate with Orange County to finalize the assistance package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Alafaya?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?+−
Does Alafaya have its own city down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
Can I combine the Orange County DPA with the MAP program?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Alafaya? 19 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?