See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Brandon, FL (2026)
Brandon is a thriving census-designated place in Hillsborough County, just east of Tampa, with a median home price around $370,000. While Brandon does not have its own city-funded down payment assistance programs, buyers here can access substantial help through Hillsborough County and state-level programs. The Hillsborough County SHIP program offers up to $40,000 in deferred-payment assistance, and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program provides up to $30,000 for buyers outside Tampa city limits. Combined with Florida Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and other state programs, Brandon homebuyers can potentially stack over $70,000 in assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Hillsborough County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFA of Hillsborough County Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates | Yes | View → |
| Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance (SHIP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
| Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program | Deferred Loan | $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 first mortgage loan amount | 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
- 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 → |
| 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+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 Tampa Bay Hillsborough | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
| NACA Purchase Program (Brandon) | Grant | No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate | No | View → |
| Solita's House Down Payment Assistance Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- 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:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most Hillsborough County programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, though some extend to 120% AMI. Review current income limits on the Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services website or call (813) 612-5397.
Complete homebuyer education. Hillsborough County requires a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact the CDC of Tampa at (813) 231-4362 or the Housing and Education Alliance at (813) 932-4663 to enroll in an approved course.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Florida Housing-approved lender or contact the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County to access their first mortgage program with built-in down payment assistance.
Apply for down payment assistance. Submit your application for the Hillsborough County SHIP program (up to $40,000) and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program (up to $30,000 outside Tampa). You can also explore stacking with the Florida Hometown Heroes program through your lender.
Find a home within program limits. Some programs have purchase price caps, so confirm the current maximum with your lender or housing counselor before making an offer.
Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the assistance funds with your closing. The process typically takes 45-60 days from application to closing.