Homebuyer Programs in Miami Gardens, FL (2026)
Miami Gardens is the third-largest city in Miami-Dade County, located in the northern part of the county with a median home price around $480,000. The City of Miami Gardens SHIP Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing within city limits at a maximum price of $385,000. At the county level, buyers can access up to $35,000 through the Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program, up to $28,500 through the MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP), and up to $100,000 through the Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP). The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program adds up to $15,000 in second mortgage assistance. Combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program (up to $35,000), eligible Miami Gardens buyers can stack significant assistance to make homeownership more affordable.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Miami Gardens
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Miami Gardens SHIP Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $20,000 | 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:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- 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. The City of Miami Gardens program requires first-time buyer status and income within SHIP limits for Miami-Dade County. The home must be within Miami Gardens city limits with a purchase price at or below $385,000. County programs have their own income tiers.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) at 305-751-5511 is a HUD-certified counseling agency and CDFI serving Miami-Dade County that offers free homebuyer education and financial fitness coaching.
- Step 3:
Contact the City of Miami Gardens Community Development Department. Visit the city website at miamigardens-fl.gov or call to confirm current SHIP funding availability and begin the application process for the city's Purchase Assistance Program.
- Step 4:
Apply for county programs. Contact Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development at 786-469-4100 to apply for the county Down Payment Assistance Program (up to $35,000), the Homebuyer Loan Program (up to $100,000), and the MDEAT HAP program (up to $28,500).
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. For the HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program, use a participating lender to access a competitive first mortgage paired with up to $15,000 in second mortgage DPA.
- Step 6:
Find a home and close. Work with your housing counselor to coordinate all assistance layers. Ensure the property meets all program requirements including price limits and property condition standards.