See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026
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.
County Programs in Hillsborough County
| 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 → |
- 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
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 → |
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 total first mortgage loan amount (HFA Advantage PLUS TBA, Freddie Mac first mortgage only)
- 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 → |
| 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:
- 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 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 → |
- 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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Riverview?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Are there any Riverview-specific city programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What credit score do I need?+−
How does the Home Sweet Home program work for Riverview?+−
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