Homebuyer Programs in Riverview, FL (2026)
Riverview is a fast-growing community in southeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, located just south of Tampa, with a median home price around $375,000. While Riverview is an unincorporated area without its own city government DPA program, buyers here benefit from strong county-level assistance. The Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance (SHIP) program provides up to $40,000 in deferred loans, and the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program offers up to $30,000 for buyers purchasing outside Tampa city limits — which includes all of Riverview. The HFA of Hillsborough County also offers competitive first mortgage rates paired with a 0% second mortgage for down payment and closing costs. When combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program (up to $35,000), eligible Riverview buyers can stack well over $70,000 in total assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Riverview
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFA of Hillsborough County Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates | Yes | View → |
| Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance (SHIP) | Deferred Loan | Up to $40,000 | Yes | View → |
| Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program | Deferred Loan | $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025) | Yes | 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 Tampa Bay Hillsborough | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
| Solita's House Down Payment Assistance Loan | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | 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 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:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% second mortgage, combined with competitive first mortgage rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 within City of Tampa; $30,000 in Hillsborough County outside Tampa (as of December 5, 2025)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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 home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 Hillsborough County SHIP program requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. The Home Sweet Home program serves buyers up to 140% AMI. Both require the home to be your primary residence.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Solita's House in Tampa (anthonyt@solitashouse.com) is a U.S. Treasury certified CDFI that offers homebuyer education and counseling, and can also provide up to $15,000 in their own DPA loans.
- Step 3:
Contact Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services. Call 813-274-6644 or visit their office to begin the SHIP or Home Sweet Home application process. They will review your income documentation and determine which programs you qualify for.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. For the HFA of Hillsborough County Mortgage Program, you must use a participating lender. The HFA pairs a competitive first mortgage with a 0% second mortgage for down payment and closing costs.
- Step 5:
Find a home in Riverview. Ensure the property meets program requirements, including any price limits and property condition standards. A HUD housing quality inspection may be required.
- Step 6:
Submit your application and close. Work with your housing counselor and lender to coordinate all assistance layers. Allow adequate processing time for each program.