See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 24, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Orlando, FL (2026)
Orlando is Central Florida's largest city and one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the nation, with a median home price of approximately $385,000. Homebuyers in Orlando benefit from generous local programs, including the City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance Program offering up to $45,000 in forgivable loans and the Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program providing up to $70,000 for very low-income buyers. The Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) adds up to $80,000 in deferred financing, and the OCHFA Homebuyer Program offers competitive first mortgage rates with DPA. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides up to $35,000 in deferred assistance. By combining city, county, and state programs, eligible Orlando buyers may access well over $80,000 in total down payment and closing cost assistance.
City Programs in Orlando
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $45,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $45,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Orange County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCHFA Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance combined with competitive first mortgage rates | Yes | View → |
| Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income), or $10,000 (moderate income) | Yes | View → |
| Orange County Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $80,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance combined with competitive first mortgage rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income), or $10,000 (moderate income)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $80,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 $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
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 → |
| 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 → |
- 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
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payments never exceed 30% of household income | No | View → |
| NACA Purchase Program (Orlando) | Grant | No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate | No | View → |
| NeighborWorks Orange County Homebuyer Assistance | Deferred Loan | Down payment assistance available through counseling and program matching | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage; mortgage payments never exceed 30% of household income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Down payment assistance available through counseling and program matching
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the programs you are interested in. The City of Orlando program serves households earning up to 140% of the area median income (4-person limit
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved pre-purchase homebuyer education course is required for most Orlando programs. Contact HANDS of Central Florida at 407-447-5686, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando at 407-648-4567 ext. 2 (free 8-hour workshop in English and Spanish), or NeighborWorks Orange County.
Contact a local housing partner. For the City of Orlando program, call 407-246-4077. For Orange County programs, contact the Housing and Community Development Division at (407) 836-5150 or housing@ocfl.net. NeighborWorks Orange County also provides comprehensive counseling and DPA matching.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender certified by the program you are applying for. The OCHFA program has its own approved lender network. The City of Orlando program has no credit score minimum.
Find a home within program guidelines. The City of Orlando program has a purchase price limit of $544,233 and requires the home to be within city limits. The Orange County DPA program has a $345,000 purchase price limit and requires the home to be in Orange County.
Submit your application. You must contribute at least $1,000 toward the purchase for the City of Orlando program ($500 if low or very low income). Applications are processed as funding is available, so check current status before beginning.