See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Wellington, FL (2026)
Wellington is an affluent village in western Palm Beach County known for its equestrian community, top-rated schools, and family-friendly neighborhoods, with a median home price around $640,000. While Wellington does not offer its own city-level down payment assistance for home purchases, buyers here benefit from several strong Palm Beach County programs. The Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program offers up to $100,000 as a forgivable loan, and the Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program provides up to $100,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan forgiven after 30 years. The Homebuyer Match Pilot Program adds up to $50,000 in grant funding. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers, and the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority provides up to $17,500 in closing cost assistance. By stacking county, state, and federal programs, eligible buyers in Wellington can access significant help toward homeownership in this desirable community.
County Programs in Palm Beach County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $100,000 | Yes | View → |
| Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program | Grant | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
| Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $17,500 | Yes | View → |
| Palm Beach County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program | Tax Credit | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
| Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $100,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $100,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $100,000
- 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 of Greater Palm Beach County Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 0% interest | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with 0% interest
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Income limits vary by program. The Palm Beach County SHIP program covers households up to 140% of Area Median Income ($136,360 for a family of 4). The HOME program is capped at 80% AMI ($93,500 for a family of 4). The Housing Finance Authority program and Homebuyer Match Pilot have their own income thresholds.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Most Palm Beach County programs require at least 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education. The Urban League of Palm Beach County is a HUD-approved counseling agency serving the area. Contact them at (561) 833-1461 to register for courses.
Step 3: Attend county orientations. The Palm Beach County SHIP and HOME programs require attendance at two county orientations before you can apply. Check the Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development website for upcoming orientation dates.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a Florida Housing-approved lender or a Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority-approved lender to get pre-approved. This is required before applying for most assistance programs.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The HOME program has a purchase price limit of $568,557. The SHIP program and Housing Finance Authority program have their own limits. Given Wellington's median home price of $640,000, buyers may need to target properties below the program caps or focus on programs without strict price limits like the HFA program.
Step 6: Submit your applications during open windows. The HOME program accepts applications during limited seasonal windows that fill quickly. The SHIP program also has periodic application periods. Monitor the Palm Beach County Housing and Economic Development website closely and apply as soon as windows open.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Wellington?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does Wellington have its own down payment assistance program?+−
When can I apply for Palm Beach County programs?+−
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