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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Kendall, FL (2026)

Population: 79,000 | Median home price: $530,000 | Est. closing costs: $10,500 - $16,000

Skyline of Kendall, FL

Kendall is a large unincorporated community in Miami-Dade County, Florida, located in the southern suburbs of Miami with a population of approximately 79,000 and a median home price around $530,000. Despite being one of the higher-priced areas in the metro, Kendall homebuyers have access to several generous county-level down payment assistance programs. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) offers up to $100,000 at just 1% interest, the Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as an interest-free deferred loan, and the MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program adds up to $28,500 for households at or below 80% AMI. Combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program (up to $35,000) and the Florida Assist Second Mortgage ($10,000), eligible Kendall homebuyers could potentially access over $150,000 in combined assistance.

County Programs in Miami-Dade County

HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
Yes
MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP)
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
Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $35,000
First-time only:
Yes
Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP)
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Up to $100,000 at 1% interest or $80,000 at 2% interest
First-time only:
No

State Programs in Florida

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

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

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
First-time only:
No
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Down payment and closing cost assistance available
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program serves first-time homebuyers with household income at or below 140% of the Area Median Income. The MDEAT program serves households at or below 80% AMI. Income limits vary by household size.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All Miami-Dade County programs require completion of an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida at (305) 751-5511 offers free classes in English and Spanish. The Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County website lists additional approved providers.

Step 3: Meet with a housing counselor. Schedule a free one-on-one appointment with Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida or another HUD-approved counseling agency to review which programs you qualify for and create a homeownership plan.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Work with a lender approved by the programs you're applying to. For the HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program, you must use an approved participating lender from the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County.

Step 5: Find a home in the Kendall area. The property must be located within Miami-Dade County (Kendall qualifies as unincorporated Miami-Dade). The home must serve as your primary residence and meet all program requirements.

Step 6: Submit your application. Contact the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Housing and Community Development at (786) 469-4100 to apply for the county DPA program. For the HFA Miami-Dade program, your lender will process the application.

Step 7: Close on your new home. After approval, coordinate your closing. County assistance is recorded as a deferred loan, and the HFA program provides a deferred second mortgage alongside your first mortgage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Kendall?+
Kendall homebuyers can access substantial assistance through Miami-Dade County programs. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) offers up to $100,000 at 1% interest as a deferred second mortgage. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as an interest-free deferred loan. The MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) adds up to $28,500. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program offers up to $15,000 in deferred second mortgage assistance. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program provides up to $35,000 and the Florida Assist Second Mortgage provides $10,000. By stacking eligible programs, buyers could potentially access over $150,000 in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
For most Miami-Dade County programs, yes. The Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program requires you to be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years). The MDEAT program and the Homebuyer Loan Program also have first-time buyer requirements. The Florida Hometown Heroes Program requires first-time buyer status as well. Federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not have this requirement.
Is Kendall eligible for Miami-Dade County programs even though it is not a city?+
Yes. Kendall is an unincorporated census-designated place within Miami-Dade County, which means residents are directly served by Miami-Dade County government programs. You do not need to live within an incorporated city like Miami to qualify for county down payment assistance programs. In fact, because Kendall is unincorporated, county programs are your primary source of local assistance.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All Miami-Dade County down payment assistance programs require completion of an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course prior to closing. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida at (305) 751-5511 offers free homebuyer education classes in English and Spanish. Additional approved providers are listed on the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County website.
What is the difference between the DPA program and the Homebuyer Loan Program?+
The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. The Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) provides a larger amount of up to $100,000 but charges 1% interest as a deferred second mortgage. Both cover down payment and closing costs and are deferred as long as you remain in the home. A housing counselor can help you determine which program or combination best fits your situation.
Can I buy a condo in Kendall with these programs?+
Yes, most Miami-Dade County programs allow the purchase of condominiums as long as the unit will be your primary residence and meets all program requirements. For FHA financing, the condo project must be FHA-approved. Contact the Miami-Dade County Department of Public Housing and Community Development at (786) 469-4100 for specific property eligibility questions.

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