See programs you qualify for

Get Matched Free →

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

Homebuyer Programs in The Hammocks, FL (2026)

Population: 58,000 | Median home price: $565,000 | Est. closing costs: $11,500 - $17,000

Skyline of The Hammocks, FL

The Hammocks is a residential community of about 58,000 in unincorporated southwestern Miami-Dade County, Florida, known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and convenient access to both Miami and the Everglades. With a median home price around $565,000, buyers here benefit from Miami-Dade County's strong suite of assistance programs since the community does not have a separate city government. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as a deferred interest-free loan. The MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program adds up to $28,500 for low-to-moderate income households. The Miami-Dade Homebuyer Loan Program can provide up to $100,000 in affordable gap financing, and the HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program includes up to $15,000 in assistance. Florida state programs including Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000) and Florida Assist (up to $10,000) are also available. By combining county and state programs, eligible buyers in The Hammocks can potentially stack over $100,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.

County Programs in Miami-Dade County

HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000
First-time only:
Yes
MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $28,500 (at or below 80% AMI) or up to $14,500 (above 80% AMI)
First-time only:
No
Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Up to $35,000
First-time only:
Yes
Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP)
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Up to $100,000 at 1% interest or $80,000 at 2% interest
First-time only:
No

State Programs in Florida

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

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

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
First-time only:
No
NACA Purchase Program (Miami)
Type:
Grant
Amount:
No down payment, no closing costs, no PMI, no fees, below-market fixed interest rate
First-time only:
No
Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Down payment and closing cost assistance available
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Miami-Dade County programs require household income at or below 80% to 140% of Area Median Income for Miami-Dade County, depending on the program. You must be a first-time homebuyer, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) offers courses in English, Spanish, and Creole throughout Miami-Dade County. NACA also provides free homebuyer workshops in the Miami area.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage. Contact an approved lender through the HFA Miami-Dade program or the Florida Housing Finance Corporation's participating lender network. The HFA Miami-Dade program includes up to $15,000 in down payment assistance paired with your mortgage.

Step 4: Apply for county down payment assistance. Submit your application to Miami-Dade County's Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program for up to $35,000 as a deferred 0% interest loan. Also apply to the MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program for an additional $28,500 if your income is at or below 140% AMI.

Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Miami-Dade County programs have purchase price limits that are updated annually. Work with your real estate agent to find eligible properties in The Hammocks area that fall within the program caps.

Step 6: Close on your new home. Your lender and the county will coordinate to apply all approved assistance at closing. The county down payment assistance is structured as a 0% interest deferred loan for up to 30 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in The Hammocks?+
Buyers in The Hammocks can stack multiple Miami-Dade County and state programs. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as a deferred loan. The MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program adds up to $28,500. The Miami-Dade Homebuyer Loan Program offers up to $100,000 in gap financing. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program includes up to $15,000. At the state level, Florida Hometown Heroes offers up to $35,000 and Florida Assist provides up to $10,000. Eligible buyers can potentially receive well over $100,000 in combined assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most Miami-Dade County programs require you to be a first-time homebuyer, defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. However, the Florida Hometown Heroes program is available to eligible frontline workers regardless of previous homeownership, as long as you do not currently own a home. The MDEAT program is available to moderate to middle-income households with income up to 140% AMI.
Does The Hammocks have its own city down payment assistance program?+
No. The Hammocks is an unincorporated census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, meaning it does not have its own city government or city-funded programs. However, residents have full access to all Miami-Dade County programs, which are among the most generous in South Florida, plus all Florida state and federal programs.
What homebuyer education is required?+
A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most Miami-Dade County programs. Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) offers HUD-approved courses in English, Spanish, and Creole at multiple locations throughout Miami-Dade County. NACA also provides free homebuyer workshops in the Miami area. Certificates are typically valid for one year from completion.
What is the income limit for these programs?+
Income limits vary by program. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program serves households up to 80% of Area Median Income. The MDEAT program serves households up to 140% AMI. The HFA Miami-Dade program has its own income limits based on household size. Florida Hometown Heroes requires income at or below 150% of the statewide or local area median income, whichever is greater. Check each program for current AMI thresholds, which are updated annually by HUD.

Related Cities

Related Articles