See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Tamarac, FL (2026)

Population: 73,000 | Median home price: $335,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,500 - $10,000

Tamarac is a family-friendly city in Broward County, Florida, located just west of Fort Lauderdale, with a population of approximately 73,000 and a median home price around $335,000. The City of Tamarac First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $85,000 in down payment and closing cost help through a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage forgiven after 15 years. Buyers can also access the Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program for up to $80,000 and the Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate for up to $2,000 per year in tax savings. At the state level, Florida Hometown Heroes provides up to $35,000 and the Florida Assist program offers $10,000 in assistance. By combining city, county, and state programs, Tamarac homebuyers can potentially stack well over $100,000 in total assistance toward their purchase.

City Programs in Tamarac

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Tamarac First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $85,000 for very low income (at or below 50% AMI); up to $75,000 for low income (at or below 80% AMI); up to $40,000 for moderate income (above 80% up to 120% AMI)	Yes	View →

City of Tamarac First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $85,000 for very low income (at or below 50% AMI); up to $75,000 for low income (at or below 80% AMI); up to $40,000 for moderate income (above 80% up to 120% AMI)
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Broward County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $80,000 in most participating communities; up to $120,000 in Weston, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines, $50,000 in Hollywood and Margate, $40,000 in Sunrise	Yes	View →
Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program	Tax Credit	Up to $2,000 per year	Yes	View →

Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $80,000 in most participating communities; up to $120,000 in Weston, $75,000 in Pembroke Pines, $50,000 in Hollywood and Margate, $40,000 in Sunrise
First-time only:: Yes

Broward County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

Type:: Tax Credit
Amount:: Up to $2,000 per year
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 of Broward Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with below-market terms	Yes	View →
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program	Deferred Loan	Down payment and closing cost assistance available	Yes	View →
South Florida Community Land Trust Homeownership Program	Deferred Loan	Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s	Yes	View →

Habitat for Humanity of Broward Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with below-market terms
First-time only:: Yes

Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Down payment and closing cost assistance available
First-time only:: Yes

South Florida Community Land Trust Homeownership Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Permanently affordable homes priced in the $200,000s to $300,000s
First-time only:: Yes

Free eligibility check

19 programs available in Tamarac. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the City of Tamarac program (up to 120% AMI) and the Broward County program (up to 80% AMI). You must not have owned a home in the past 3 years for most programs.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take a HUD-approved 8-hour First-Time Homebuyer course. The Urban League of Broward County offers monthly workshops and can be reached at 954-584-0777. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida also provides HUD-certified courses.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a lender to determine your purchasing power. Ask about Florida Housing Finance Corporation loan products like the HLP and Hometown Heroes programs, which can be combined with local assistance.

Step 4: Find a home in Tamarac within program limits. The City of Tamarac program has a maximum purchase price of $450,000. Search for eligible properties including single-family homes, condos, villas, and townhomes within city limits.

Step 5: Contact the City of Tamarac Housing Division at (954) 597-3549 to begin the city application. You must be under contract on a property to submit a full application. You will also need to contribute at least 1% of the contract price toward closing.

Step 6: Apply for Broward County assistance through your lender. Your lender submits the county application on your behalf to the Broward County Housing Finance and Community Development Division. The income certification and funding process takes 5-6 weeks.

Step 7: Close on your new home. Your assistance funds will be applied at closing as a deferred second mortgage. Continue to live in the home as your primary residence to maintain forgiveness terms on both city and county loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Tamarac?+

Tamarac buyers can access multiple layers of assistance. The City of Tamarac Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $85,000 for very low income households, up to $75,000 for low income, and up to $40,000 for moderate income buyers. The Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program adds up to $80,000. At the state level, Florida Hometown Heroes offers up to $35,000 and Florida Assist provides $10,000. By stacking these programs, eligible buyers could receive well over $100,000 in total assistance.

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

Most programs in Tamarac do require first-time buyer status, which typically means you have not owned a home in the past 3 years. The City of Tamarac program also requires that you have not defaulted on a mortgage within the last 7 years. However, some federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not require first-time buyer status, and certain state programs may have exceptions for veterans or buyers in targeted areas.

What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+

The City of Tamarac Purchase Assistance Program has a maximum purchase price of $450,000. The Broward County program covers eligible properties throughout the county service area. Florida Housing programs have their own purchase price limits that vary by county and are updated annually. Check with your lender or the City of Tamarac Housing Division at (954) 597-3549 for the most current limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Both the City of Tamarac and Broward County programs require completion of a HUD-approved 8-hour First-Time Homebuyer education course. The Urban League of Broward County holds monthly workshops on the second Saturday of each month and can be reached at 954-584-0777. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida also offers HUD-certified courses and can be reached at 305-751-5511.

Is the City of Tamarac program currently accepting applications?+

As of November 2025, all available funds for the City of Tamarac program were fully allocated. However, this is a recurring program funded through CDBG, HOME, and SHIP sources, and new funding rounds are expected. Check the city website at tamarac.gov or contact the Housing Division at (954) 597-3549 for updates on when applications reopen. In the meantime, the Broward County program and state-level programs remain available.

Can I combine the Tamarac city program with Broward County assistance?+

Yes, the City of Tamarac program and the Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program can potentially be layered together, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for both. Both are structured as 0% interest, deferred payment second mortgages. Your lender can help determine how to stack these programs effectively alongside state assistance like Florida Hometown Heroes or Florida Assist.