See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Palm Coast, FL (2026)

Population: 120,000 | Median home price: $360,000 | Est. closing costs: $7,000 - $11,000

Palm Coast is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, located along the coast in Flagler County between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, with a median home price around $360,000. The City of Palm Coast offers a First-Time Homebuyer Program providing up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a forgivable loan. Flagler County also administers a SHIP Purchase Assistance Program for additional help. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, and the FL Assist program provides $10,000 in second mortgage assistance. By combining local, county, and state programs, first-time buyers in Palm Coast can access meaningful assistance to make homeownership more affordable in this growing community.

City Programs in Palm Coast

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Palm Coast First-Time Homebuyer Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $35,000	Yes	View →

City of Palm Coast First-Time Homebuyer Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $35,000
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Flagler County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Flagler County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Varies by funding availability	Yes	View →

Flagler County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Varies by funding availability
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
Flagler Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with 0% interest	No	View →

Flagler Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

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

Free eligibility check

16 programs available in Palm Coast. See which ones you qualify for.

Free
No credit check
Takes 2 minutes

Are you a first-time homebuyer?

Yes No Not sure

Question 1 of 6

housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Flagler County. Review the City of Palm Coast FY 2025 income limits for your household size.

Step 2: Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Mid-Florida Housing Partnership is the primary HUD-approved counseling agency serving Palm Coast and Flagler County. Contact them at 386-274-4441 or visit mfhp.org to register for a First-Time Homebuyer class and Credit and Credit Scoring workshop.

Step 3: Submit a prescreening form to Mid-Florida Housing Partnership. They will help determine your eligibility for available programs and guide you through the application process.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage through a participating lender. For state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, work with an approved Florida Housing Finance Corporation lender.

Step 5: Find a home within the City of Palm Coast limits (for the city program) or within Flagler County (for the county program). The home must be your primary residence.

Step 6: Submit your complete application to the City of Palm Coast Community Development Planning Division at 386-986-3736 or email Housing@palmcoastgov.com. For the Flagler County program, contact Flagler County Housing Services directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Palm Coast?+

The City of Palm Coast First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance as a forgivable loan. Flagler County also administers a separate SHIP Purchase Assistance Program with additional funds available. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program provides up to $35,000, FL Assist offers $10,000, and the Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS program provides up to 5% of the loan amount. By combining eligible programs, buyers could access significant total assistance.

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

The City of Palm Coast First-Time Homebuyer Program and the Flagler County SHIP program both require first-time buyer status, generally defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. However, some state and federal programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program and FHA loans are available to repeat buyers as well.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

The City of Palm Coast and Flagler County programs do not publish specific purchase price caps in their public materials, but the home must be within city or county limits and affordable relative to your income. FHA loan limits for Flagler County are set annually by HUD. Contact the City of Palm Coast at 386-986-3736 for current program limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Both city and county programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Mid-Florida Housing Partnership is the primary provider serving Palm Coast and Flagler County. They offer First-Time Homebuyer classes and Credit and Credit Scoring workshops. Contact them at 386-274-4441 or visit mfhp.org to register.

Does Palm Coast qualify for USDA loans?+

Yes, many areas within Palm Coast and Flagler County are eligible for USDA Rural Development home loans, which offer 100% financing with no down payment required. USDA eligibility is based on the property location and household income limits. Check the USDA eligibility map or contact a USDA-approved lender to verify if your desired property qualifies.