See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 25, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in West Palm Beach, FL (2026)

Population: 117,000 | Median home price: $425,000 | Est. closing costs: $8,500 - $13,000

West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County on Florida's southeastern coast, with a population of approximately 117,000 and a median home price around $425,000. The city offers one of the most generous homebuyer programs in the state through its First-Time Homebuyers Program, providing up to $100,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. Palm Beach County adds further options including the SHIP Purchase Assistance Program with up to $100,000, the new Homebuyer Match Pilot Program offering up to $50,000, the Housing Finance Authority program with up to $17,500, and a Mortgage Credit Certificate worth up to $2,000 per year in tax credits. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program and Florida Assist provide additional down payment and closing cost help. By stacking city, county, state, and federal programs, West Palm Beach buyers can potentially access extraordinary levels of homebuyer assistance.

City Programs in West Palm Beach

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $100,000	Yes	View →

City of West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $100,000
First-time only:: Yes

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 →

Palm Beach County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $100,000
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $50,000
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority Homebuyer Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County Mortgage Credit Certificate Program

Type:: Tax Credit
Amount:: Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
First-time only:: Yes

Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program

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 →

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 Greater Palm Beach County Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with 0% interest	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with 0% interest
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

20 programs available in West Palm Beach. See which ones you qualify for.

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Are you a first-time homebuyer?

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Question 1 of 6

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. For the City of West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program, you must not have owned a home in the past three years and must meet income limits. The Palm Beach County SHIP program allows incomes up to 140% of the area median income.

Step 2: Complete at least 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education. Both the city and county programs require this before you can apply. Approved counseling agencies include the Urban League of Palm Beach County, R.E.A.C.H., and the West Palm Beach Housing Authority.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a first mortgage from a lender. Both the city and county programs require mortgage pre-approval before you can submit an application.

Step 4: Apply through the City of West Palm Beach program first. For homes within West Palm Beach city limits, you must apply through the city program before seeking Palm Beach County assistance. Contact the City of West Palm Beach Department of Housing and Community Development to begin.

Step 5: If city funds are not available, obtain written confirmation and then apply to the Palm Beach County SHIP program. You must attend two mandatory county orientations before submitting your county application.

Step 6: For additional assistance, work with a participating lender to access the Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority program for up to $17,500 in down payment help and the Mortgage Credit Certificate for up to $2,000 per year in tax credits.

Step 7: Find a home within West Palm Beach and submit your complete application. Be aware that demand is extremely high and application portals may close quickly when funding cycles open. Apply as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in West Palm Beach?+

West Palm Beach has some of the most generous homebuyer programs in Florida. The City of West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program offers up to $100,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. The Palm Beach County SHIP program provides up to $100,000 in additional assistance. The new Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program offers up to $50,000. The Palm Beach County Housing Finance Authority adds up to $17,500 in deferred-loan help, plus a Mortgage Credit Certificate worth up to $2,000 per year in tax credits. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program offers up to 5% of the loan amount and Florida Assist provides up to $7,500. Combined with federal options like FHA and VA loans, the total available assistance is substantial.

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

The City of West Palm Beach program, Palm Beach County SHIP program, and Palm Beach County HFA program all require first-time homebuyer status, generally defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. However, the Florida Hometown Heroes Program is available regardless of prior homeownership, and federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not have first-time buyer requirements.

What are the income limits for West Palm Beach homebuyer programs?+

Income limits vary by program and household size. The Palm Beach County SHIP program allows household incomes up to 140% of the Area Median Income, which is more generous than many county programs. The city program has its own income eligibility thresholds based on HUD income limits. Contact the City of West Palm Beach Department of Housing and Community Development or the Urban League of Palm Beach County for current figures.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Both the city and county programs require completion of at least 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education before applying. Approved counseling agencies in the area include the Urban League of Palm Beach County, R.E.A.C.H., We Help Communities 2 Develop Corporation, and the West Palm Beach Housing Authority. The county program also requires attending two mandatory orientations.

How does the new Homebuyer Match Pilot Program work?+

The Palm Beach County Homebuyer Match Pilot Program is a brand new program launched in March 2026 with $2 million in Phase 1 funding. It offers up to $50,000 per selected applicant for down payment assistance, mortgage points buydowns, repairs, and closing costs. Sixty applicants are selected via lottery from the pre-application pool. Pre-applications for Phase 1 opened March 30, 2026 and close April 20, 2026. A mandatory virtual orientation is required before applying.

Do I have to apply to the city program before the county program?+

Yes. For homes located in West Palm Beach (as well as Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and Delray Beach), you must first apply through the city assistance program. If city funds are not available, you need written confirmation from the city before Palm Beach County can process your application. This is a specific requirement of the county SHIP program.