See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Tallahassee, FL (2026)
Tallahassee is Florida's capital city, located in Leon County in the state's panhandle region, with a median home price around $320,000. First-time homebuyers here benefit from strong local support: the City of Tallahassee First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to 20% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, while the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium provides an additional $7,125 to $12,050 in supplemental down payment assistance. The Leon County Housing Finance Authority adds up to $10,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan, and the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program provides up to $35,000 at the state level. By combining city, county, state, and federal programs, Tallahassee buyers can access significant assistance to make homeownership affordable.
City Programs in Tallahassee
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tallahassee First-Time Homebuyer Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 20% of the purchase price | Yes | View → |
| Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium (TLC) Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $7,125 (up to $12,050 for very low-income buyers) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of the purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,125 (up to $12,050 for very low-income buyers)
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Leon County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leon County Housing Finance Authority Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bend Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Home sold at build cost with affordable mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Home sold at build cost with affordable mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Most city programs in Tallahassee require first-time homebuyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years) and household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The Leon County HFA program has higher income limits of up to $98,074 for 1-2 person households on government loans.
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for all programs. The Tallahassee Urban League offers courses on the third Tuesday and Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. Contact Lamar Kemp at (850) 222-6111 or lamar.kemp@talurbanleague.org to register. The Tallahassee Urban League is located at 923 Old Bainbridge Road.
Contact local housing partners. For the city program and TLC assistance, contact the Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium through a participating lender. For the Leon County HFA program, visit the Leon County Housing Finance Authority website for approved lenders.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender approved for the programs you are applying to. The Leon County HFA program requires a minimum 640 credit score. FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans are all compatible with various programs.
Find a home within program guidelines. The city and TLC programs require purchasing within Tallahassee city limits. The Leon County HFA program covers all of Leon County with a purchase price limit of $544,232 in non-target areas and $665,173 in targeted areas.
Submit your application and close on your home. You must contribute at least $500 toward the purchase for most city programs. Work with your lender to coordinate the layering of city, county, and state assistance for maximum benefit.