Homebuyer Programs in Hialeah, FL (2026)
Hialeah is the sixth-largest city in Florida, located in Miami-Dade County just northwest of Miami, with a median home price around $480,000. First-time homebuyers in Hialeah can access the City of Hialeah SHIP Down Payment Assistance Program for up to $40,000 in forgivable assistance, plus the Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program for up to $35,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan. The MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program offers up to $28,500 forgivable after 20 years, and the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides up to $35,000 at the state level. By combining city, county, state, and federal programs, Hialeah buyers can potentially stack over $100,000 in total homebuyer assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Hialeah
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Hialeah SHIP Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
| HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $28,500 (at or below 80% AMI) or up to $14,500 (above 80% AMI) | No | View → |
| Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
| Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $100,000 at 1% interest or $80,000 at 2% interest | No | 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 Greater Miami Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no down payment required | No | View → |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance available | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $28,500 (at or below 80% AMI) or up to $14,500 (above 80% AMI)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $100,000 at 1% interest or $80,000 at 2% interest
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 no down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance available
- 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 first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). Income limits vary
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida at (305) 751-5511 offers courses in English, Creole, and Spanish. The MDEAT program requires in-person education specifically.
- Step 3:
Contact local housing partners. Reach out to the City of Hialeah Housing and Community Services Department for the SHIP program. For the Miami-Dade County Down Payment Assistance Program, call 786-469-4100. For NHSSF counseling and affordable lending, call (305) 751-5511.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation or a local lender. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program offers favorable rates for first-time buyers.
- Step 5:
Find a home within program guidelines. The city SHIP program requires purchasing within Hialeah city limits. County programs require the home to be in Miami-Dade County. The property must be an immediately habitable single-family home, condo, or townhome for most programs.
- Step 6:
Submit your application and close on your home. SHIP funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis during open application periods. You must contribute 1% to 3% of the purchase price from personal funds depending on the program. Check current availability with each program before applying.