See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Miami Gardens, FL (2026)

Population: 115,000 | Median home price: $480,000 | Est. closing costs: $9,500 - $14,500

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.

City 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 →

City of Miami Gardens SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Miami-Dade County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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 →

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

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
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 →

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with no down payment required
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

Free eligibility check

20 programs available in Miami Gardens. See which ones you qualify for.

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Are you a first-time homebuyer?

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Question 1 of 6

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Miami Gardens?+

Miami Gardens buyers can stack multiple programs. The City of Miami Gardens SHIP program offers up to $20,000. The Miami-Dade County Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000. The MDEAT HAP program adds up to $28,500. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program offers up to $100,000 at 1% interest. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program provides up to $15,000. The Florida Hometown Heroes Program adds up to $35,000. Combined, eligible buyers could access substantial assistance.

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

The City of Miami Gardens SHIP program requires first-time buyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). Most county programs also prioritize or require first-time buyers. However, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program serves veterans regardless of prior ownership, and some county programs may have exceptions for veterans or buyers in targeted areas.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

The City of Miami Gardens SHIP program has a maximum purchase price of $385,000. County programs follow Miami-Dade County limits which vary. With the median home price in Miami Gardens around $480,000, you may need to find homes below the median to maximize city-level assistance. County programs like the HLP (up to $100,000) can help bridge the gap on higher-priced homes.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) at 305-751-5511 is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency and CDFI that has served Miami-Dade County for over 40 years. They offer free homebuyer education, financial fitness coaching, and can connect you directly to DPA programs.

What if homes in Miami Gardens are above the $385,000 city program limit?+

While the city SHIP program caps at $385,000, you can still access county-level programs with higher or no purchase price limits. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) offers up to $100,000 at 1% interest with higher price ceilings. The MDEAT HAP and county DPA programs also have their own limits. Focus on county and state programs if purchasing above $385,000.

What credit score do I need?+

Credit score requirements vary by program. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program typically requires a minimum FICO score of 640-660 depending on loan type. The city SHIP program does not publish a specific minimum but you must qualify for a first mortgage. NHSSF offers free credit counseling and financial fitness coaching to help improve your score before applying.