See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Boca Raton, FL (2026)

Population: 106,000 | Median home price: $550,000 | Est. closing costs: $11,000 - $16,500

Boca Raton is an affluent coastal city in Palm Beach County known for its beaches, parks, and thriving economy, with a median home price around $550,000. The city offers some of the most generous homebuyer assistance in the state through its SHIP Purchase Assistance Program, providing up to $190,000 as a 0% interest forgivable loan for first-time buyers. A separate CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program adds up to $75,000 in additional help. Palm Beach County's SHIP Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $100,000 more, and the Florida Hometown Heroes Program provides up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers. By stacking city, county, and state programs, first-time buyers in Boca Raton could potentially access over $400,000 in combined assistance to make homeownership achievable in this competitive market.

City Programs in Boca Raton

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Boca Raton CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $75,000	Yes	View →
City of Boca Raton SHIP Purchase Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $190,000	Yes	View →

City of Boca Raton CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $75,000
First-time only:: Yes

City of Boca Raton SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $190,000
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Palm Beach County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $100,000	Yes	View →
Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program	Grant	Up to $50,000	Yes	View →
Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $17,500	Yes	View →
Palm Beach County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program	Tax Credit	Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits	Yes	View →
Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $100,000	Yes	View →

Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $100,000
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $50,000
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

Type:: Tax Credit
Amount:: Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $100,000
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 →

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program

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

Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program

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 →

FHA Loans

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

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

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

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

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

HUD $100 Down Program

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

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

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 of Greater Palm Beach County Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with 0% interest	No	View →
Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with 0% interest	Yes	View →

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with 0% interest
First-time only:: No

Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with 0% interest
First-time only:: Yes

Free eligibility check

22 programs available in Boca Raton. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Palm Beach County, though the Boca Raton SHIP program extends to households up to 140% AMI depending on the funding strategy.

Step 2: Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Urban League of Palm Beach County offers comprehensive housing counseling services and homebuyer education. Contact them at 561-833-1461 to register. The Boca Raton Housing Authority can also direct you to approved courses.

Step 3: Contact the City of Boca Raton Community Improvement Division at 561-393-7756 to obtain applications for both the SHIP Purchase Assistance Program (up to $190,000) and the CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program (up to $75,000). Note that you must apply through the city program first before seeking county assistance.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage through a participating lender. For the Palm Beach County program, work with a lender approved by the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority.

Step 5: Find a home within the City of Boca Raton municipal limits. The home must be your primary residence. For the CDBG program, it must be an existing single-family home, townhome, villa, or condominium.

Step 6: Submit your complete applications with all required documentation. The Boca Raton programs are processed on an ongoing basis pending availability of funding, so apply as early as possible. If city funds are unavailable, obtain written confirmation to then apply for Palm Beach County assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Boca Raton?+

Boca Raton offers some of the most generous homebuyer assistance in Florida. The City of Boca Raton SHIP Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $190,000 as a 0% interest forgivable loan. The City of Boca Raton CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program adds up to $75,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $100,000, and the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program provides up to $17,500. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to $35,000 and FL Assist provides $10,000. By combining eligible programs, buyers could potentially access over $400,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

The City of Boca Raton SHIP and CDBG programs both require you to be a first-time homebuyer, defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Palm Beach County SHIP program also requires first-time buyer status. However, some state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program and FHA loans are available to repeat buyers as well.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

The City of Boca Raton programs do not publish a specific purchase price cap, but the home must be within city limits and affordable relative to your income. The Palm Beach County SHIP program has purchase price limits that are updated annually based on HUD guidelines. FHA loan limits for Palm Beach County are set each year by HUD. Contact the City of Boca Raton Community Improvement Division at 561-393-7756 for current limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Both city and county programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before applying. The Urban League of Palm Beach County offers comprehensive housing counseling and homebuyer education with over 25 years of experience. Contact them at 561-833-1461. Other approved agencies in the area include the West Palm Beach Housing Authority and We Help Communities 2 Develop Corporation.

Do I have to apply to the city program before the county program?+

Yes. For homes located in Boca Raton, you must first apply through the City of Boca Raton assistance programs. If city funds are not available, you need written confirmation from the city before the Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program can consider your application. This requirement ensures local funds are utilized first before county resources are tapped.

Can I combine multiple programs?+

Yes, buyers in Boca Raton can potentially stack the City SHIP program (up to $190,000) with the City CDBG program (up to $75,000), Palm Beach County SHIP (up to $100,000), and state programs like Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and FL Assist ($10,000). However, total assistance combined with your first mortgage cannot exceed the purchase price, and each program has its own eligibility requirements. Work with your lender and the City of Boca Raton Community Improvement Division to determine the best combination for your situation.