See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 24, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Port St. Lucie, FL (2026)

Population: 235,000 | Median home price: $400,000 | Est. closing costs: $8,000 - $12,000

Port St. Lucie is one of Florida's fastest-growing cities, located along the Treasure Coast in St. Lucie County, with a median home price around $400,000. First-time homebuyers here can access significant assistance, including up to $100,000 through the City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program (in partnership with the Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast) and up to $50,000 through the St. Lucie County HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance program, a zero-interest deferred loan that may be forgivable. The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, while the Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program offers 3% to 5% of the loan amount as a grant. By combining local, state, and federal programs, Port St. Lucie buyers can potentially stack well over $100,000 in total homebuyer assistance.

City Programs in Port St. Lucie

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program	Grant	Up to $100,000	Yes	View →

City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $100,000
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in St. Lucie County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
St. Lucie County Down Payment Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	$10,000	Yes	View →
St. Lucie County HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance	Deferred Loan	Up to $50,000	Yes	View →

St. Lucie County Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $10,000
First-time only:: Yes

St. Lucie County HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $50,000
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
Habitat for Humanity St. Lucie and Okeechobee Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with no down payment required	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity St. Lucie and Okeechobee Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with no down payment required
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

17 programs available in Port St. Lucie. See which ones you qualify for.

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Question 1 of 6

housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs in Port St. Lucie require you to be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years). Income limits vary by program: the City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program requires income between $70,000 and 120% of the Area Median Income, while the St. Lucie County HOME Consortium has HUD-based income limits.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course (minimum 6 hours) is required for most programs. Contact St. Lucie County Community Services at (772) 462-1777 for approved course providers. The City of Port St. Lucie program also requires a Community Land Trust Orientation.

Step 3: Contact local housing partners. Reach out to St. Lucie County Community Services Housing Division at (772) 462-1777 for the HOME Consortium program, or the City of Port St. Lucie Neighborhood Services at (772) 579-3927 for the city's Homebuyer Assistance Program. The Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast can be reached at (772) 871-5283.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender approved by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Most programs require a minimum credit score of 620 to 640.

Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. The city program requires purchasing within Port St. Lucie city limits. The HOME Consortium program primarily serves unincorporated St. Lucie County areas including Lakewood Park, River Park, and Indian River Estates.

Step 6: Submit your application and close on your home. Application periods for the city program are limited, so check the city's website for current openings. HOME Consortium funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. A minimum buyer contribution of $500 to 1% of the sales price is required depending on the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Port St. Lucie?+

Port St. Lucie buyers can access substantial assistance by combining programs. The City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $100,000 in federal funds. The St. Lucie County HOME Consortium provides up to $50,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers up to $35,000 (5% of the first mortgage), the Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program provides 3% to 5% of the loan amount as a grant, and Florida Assist offers up to $10,000 as a zero-interest second mortgage.

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

Most programs in Port St. Lucie require first-time homebuyer status, which typically means you have not owned a home in the past three years. The City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program, the St. Lucie County HOME Consortium, and the Florida Hometown Heroes program all require first-time buyer status. However, the Habitat for Humanity St. Lucie and Okeechobee Homeownership Program does not require first-time buyer status, and veterans may qualify for exceptions under some programs.

What credit score do I need to buy a home in Port St. Lucie with assistance?+

Credit score requirements vary by program. The City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program requires a minimum score of 620 to 640 depending on the partner lender. The St. Lucie County HOME Consortium and the St. Lucie County Down Payment Assistance Program both require a minimum 640 credit score. FHA loans, which are compatible with many state programs, typically require a 580 minimum.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course of at least 6 hours before closing. You can find approved providers through HUD.gov or by contacting the St. Lucie County Housing Division at (772) 462-1777. The City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program additionally requires attending a Community Land Trust Orientation through the CLT of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

Are there income limits for Port St. Lucie homebuyer programs?+

Yes, all local programs have income limits. The City of Port St. Lucie Homebuyer Assistance Program requires a minimum gross household income of $70,000 and a maximum of 120% of the Area Median Income. The St. Lucie County HOME Consortium follows HUD income guidelines, approximately $53,000 for a one-person household up to $100,000 for an eight-person household. State programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes have their own income limits based on county median income.