See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Melbourne, FL (2026)

Population: 89,000 | Median home price: $370,000 | Est. closing costs: $7,500 - $11,000

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.

City 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 →

City of Melbourne SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $44,500
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Brevard County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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 →

Brevard County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000
First-time only:: Yes

Brevard County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

Type:: Tax Credit
Amount:: Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
First-time only:: Yes

Brevard County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

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

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
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 →

Space Coast Credit Union Affordable Housing Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers; up to $10,000 for community heroes
First-time only:: Yes

Space Coast Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

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

Free eligibility check

19 programs available in Melbourne. See which ones you qualify for.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Melbourne buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The City of Melbourne SHIP program offers up to $44,500, the Brevard County SHIP program provides up to $75,000, and the Brevard County Housing Finance Authority adds up to $15,000. Space Coast Credit Union offers grants of up to $7,500 for first-time buyers and up to $10,000 for community heroes. State programs like Florida Hometown Heroes add up to $35,000 for eligible workers, and Florida Assist offers up to $10,000. Eligible buyers could potentially stack well over $100,000 in total assistance.

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

The City of Melbourne and Brevard County SHIP programs both require that you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Brevard County Housing Finance Authority program also requires first-time buyer status. Federal programs like FHA and USDA loans do not require first-time buyer status, and VA loans are available to eligible veterans regardless of prior ownership.

What is the maximum home price I can purchase?+

The Brevard County SHIP program caps existing home purchases at $304,000 and new construction at $329,000. The City of Melbourne program and the Brevard County HFA program may have different purchase price limits. Contact Community Housing Initiative at (321) 253-0053 for the most current limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Both the city and county programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before applying. Community Housing Initiative (CHI) offers a 5-hour homebuyer education workshop and is the primary intake agency for Melbourne-area programs. Contact them at (321) 253-0053 to register.

Are the Melbourne assistance programs forgivable?+

Yes. The City of Melbourne SHIP program is a 0% interest deferred second mortgage that may be forgiven after the required affordability period. The Brevard County SHIP program is a 0% interest deferred loan forgiven after 10 to 15 years depending on the assistance amount, as long as you maintain the home as your primary residence. The Space Coast Credit Union program is a grant that does not need to be repaid.

What is Community Housing Initiative and how do they help?+

Community Housing Initiative (CHI) is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and Community Housing Development Organization based in Melbourne. They administer the City of Melbourne SHIP program, coordinate Brevard County SHIP applications, offer homebuyer education workshops, and provide one-on-one counseling. They have helped over 900 first-time homebuyers with purchase assistance. Contact them at (321) 253-0053.