Homebuyer Programs in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)
Fort Lauderdale, located along Florida's southeastern coast in Broward County, is a vibrant city known for its beaches, boating canals, and growing economy. With a median home price around $550,000, buying here can feel out of reach, but several strong assistance programs can help. The City of Fort Lauderdale First-Time Homebuyers Program offers up to $75,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan, while the Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $80,000 in similar forgivable assistance. Buyers can also take advantage of the Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program for up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits, plus state programs like Florida Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and the Florida Assist program. By stacking city, county, and state programs, eligible Fort Lauderdale buyers could access well over $100,000 in combined assistance toward their home purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Fort Lauderdale
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Lauderdale First-Time Homebuyers Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $75,000 | Yes | View → |
| Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $80,000 | Yes | View → |
| Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Broward Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with below-market terms | Yes | View → |
| South Florida Community Land Trust Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s | Yes | 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 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 $75,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $80,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with below-market terms
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Broward County and first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). The City of Fort Lauderdale program requires a minimum 660 credit score.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. The Urban League of Broward County offers free homeownership counseling and workshops. Contact them at 954-584-0777.
- Step 3:
Contact the City of Fort Lauderdale Housing and Community Development Division at 954-828-4527 to inquire about the First-Time Homebuyers Program. Ask about current funding availability and application timelines.
- Step 4:
Apply for the Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program through the county's Housing Finance and Community Development Division. Note that you will need to contribute 1% of the down payment from personal funds and pay a $750 transaction fee.
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage through a Florida Housing-approved lender. Ask about the Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program for up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits. Contact the Housing Finance Authority of Broward County at 954-357-4900 for a list of participating lenders.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program limits. The Broward County program has a maximum purchase price of $636,806. The property must be within Fort Lauderdale city limits to qualify for the city program.
- Step 7:
Submit your applications and work with your lender to coordinate the assistance. Funding is limited, so prepare all documentation early and submit complete applications as soon as you are under contract.