Homebuyer Programs in Melbourne, FL (2026)
Melbourne is a coastal city on Florida's Space Coast in Brevard County, known for its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center and the Indian River Lagoon. With a median home price around $370,000, first-time buyers here have access to strong local assistance. The City of Melbourne SHIP Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $44,500 in down payment and closing cost help, while the Brevard County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $75,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. The Brevard County Housing Finance Authority adds up to $15,000 in additional assistance plus a mortgage credit certificate worth up to $2,000 per year. Space Coast Credit Union also offers grants of up to $7,500 for first-time buyers and up to $10,000 for community heroes. By combining city, county, state, and credit union programs, eligible Melbourne buyers can stack significant assistance toward their home purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Melbourne
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Melbourne SHIP Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $44,500 | Yes | View → |
| Brevard County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Brevard County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
| Brevard County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $75,000 | 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 → |
| Space Coast Credit Union Affordable Housing Program | Grant | Up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers; up to $10,000 for community heroes | Yes | View → |
| Space Coast Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 0% interest | 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 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 $44,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $75,000
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers; up to $10,000 for community heroes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with 0% interest
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 (AMI) and that you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Brevard County SHIP program limits liquid assets to $15,000.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. Both the city and county programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Community Housing Initiative (CHI) offers a 5-hour workshop and serves as the primary intake agency for Melbourne buyers. Contact CHI at (321) 253-0053 to register.
- Step 3:
Contact Community Housing Initiative at (321) 253-0053. CHI administers the City of Melbourne SHIP Purchase Assistance Program, which provides up to $44,500 as a 0% interest deferred loan. They will walk you through the full application process.
- Step 4:
Apply for the Brevard County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program, which offers up to $75,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan forgiven after 10 to 15 years. Applications are also coordinated through CHI and participating lenders.
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. The Brevard County Housing Finance Authority offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to $15,000 in additional down payment assistance as a 0% second mortgage. Ask your lender about this option.
- Step 6:
Find a home within Melbourne city limits that meets program requirements. The Brevard County SHIP program caps existing home purchases at $304,000 and new construction at $329,000.
- Step 7:
Submit your applications and work with CHI and your lender to finalize all layers of assistance. Programs are first-come, first-qualified, so apply early while funds are available.