See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Clearwater, FL (2026)

Population: 117,000 | Median home price: $370,000 | Est. closing costs: $7,500 - $11,000

Clearwater is a coastal city in Pinellas County on Florida's Gulf Coast, known for its beaches and growing residential market, with a median home price around $370,000. Homebuyers in Clearwater can access some of the most generous assistance in the Tampa Bay area, starting with the City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program, which offers up to $75,000 in zero-interest deferred loans for down payment and closing costs. At the county level, the Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $75,000 in interest-free deferred loans, while the Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program adds $10,000 in second mortgage assistance. Buyers affected by recent hurricanes may also qualify for the Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance Program, which covers up to 100% of down payment and closing costs. When combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program (up to $35,000), eligible buyers can potentially stack well over $100,000 in total assistance.

City Programs in Clearwater

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $75,000	No	View →

City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $75,000
First-time only:: No

County Programs in Pinellas County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $75,000	Yes	View →
Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program	Deferred Loan	$10,000	Yes	View →
Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to 100% of lender-required down payment and reasonable closing costs	No	View →

Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program

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

Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program

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

Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to 100% of lender-required down payment and reasonable closing costs
First-time only:: No

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 Tampa Bay Gulfside	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside

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

Free eligibility check

18 programs available in Clearwater. See which ones you qualify for.

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housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income for Pinellas County. The City of Clearwater program requires a minimum credit score of 640 and the Pinellas County HFA program requires a minimum 660 FICO score.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Suncoast Housing Connections in Clearwater (727-442-7075) and Neighborhood Home Solutions in St. Petersburg (727-821-6897) both offer approved courses.

Step 3: Meet with a housing counselor. Contact Suncoast Housing Connections at 2139 NE Coachman Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765 (727-442-7075) to review which programs you qualify for and start your application.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Work with an approved lender. For the HFA Home Key Plus Program, you must use a participating lender listed on the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County website.

Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. The home must be within Clearwater city limits for the city program and must be your primary residence. Ensure the property passes a HUD housing quality inspection.

Step 6: Submit your application and close. The City of Clearwater requires you to contribute the greater of $1,000 or 1.75% of the purchase price from your own funds. Your housing counselor will guide you through the final paperwork and closing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Clearwater?+

Clearwater buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $75,000 in zero-interest deferred loans. The Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $75,000 in interest-free deferred loans. The Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program adds $10,000. The Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to $35,000 (5% of loan amount). By stacking city, county, and state programs, eligible buyers could access well over $100,000 in total assistance.

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

Not for all programs. The City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program does not require first-time buyer status, though you cannot own another property at closing. The Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program also does not require first-time buyer status. However, the Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program and the Florida Hometown Heroes Program require you to be a first-time buyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years) or a veteran.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

The Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program sets a purchase price limit of $544,233. The City of Clearwater program does not publish a specific price cap but limits assistance based on income and loan structure. The Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program follows Florida Housing Finance Corporation loan limits, which vary by property type.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education course before closing. Local providers include Suncoast Housing Connections in Clearwater (727-442-7075), Neighborhood Home Solutions in St. Petersburg (727-821-6897), and Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (727-442-4155). Online options are also available through Credit.org for $15 per person.

Can I get help if I was affected by Hurricanes Helene or Milton?+

Yes. The Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to 100% of down payment and closing costs for income-eligible households (up to 120% AMI) who lived in Pinellas County during Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. The assistance is a forgivable 5-year loan that reduces by 20% each year. Note that this program excludes City of St. Petersburg residents and requires purchasing a home outside flood zones.

What credit score do I need?+

The City of Clearwater Purchase Assistance Program requires a minimum credit score of 640. The Pinellas County HFA Home Key Plus Program requires a minimum FICO score of 660. The Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program does not publish a specific credit score minimum but you must qualify for a first mortgage through an approved lender.