See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Westchester, FL (2026)
Westchester is an established residential census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, located just west of Coral Gables with a population of approximately 55,000 residents. With a median home price around $680,000, Westchester sits at the higher end of the Miami-Dade market, making down payment assistance programs especially valuable for buyers here. The Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program offers up to $100,000 at just 1% interest, which can make a significant dent in the down payment on a Westchester home. Additional county programs include up to $35,000 through the Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program and up to $28,500 through the MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program. The HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program adds up to $15,000 in deferred assistance. Combined with state programs like the Florida Hometown Heroes Program, eligible buyers could access well over $100,000 in layered assistance.
County Programs in Miami-Dade County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| MDEAT Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $28,500 (at or below 80% AMI) or up to $14,500 (above 80% AMI) | No | View → |
| Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $35,000 | Yes | View → |
| Miami-Dade County Homebuyer Loan Program (HLP) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $100,000 at 1% interest or $80,000 at 2% interest | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
| 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 Miami | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Down payment and closing cost assistance available | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- 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% of the area median income (AMI). For example, the Miami-Dade Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program has income limits of $95,620 for individuals and $136,500 for a household of four.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must complete an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida or another HUD-certified counseling agency in Miami-Dade County to register for a course.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a participating lender to get pre-approved. If using the HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program, select a lender from the Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County's approved lender list.
Step 4: Apply for down payment assistance. Once pre-approved, apply for county programs through the Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development (PHCD) department. Given Westchester's higher home prices, the Homebuyer Loan Program (up to $100,000 at 1% interest) may be especially valuable. You can also apply for the $35,000 DPA program and the MDEAT HAP grant of up to $28,500.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Search for a home in Miami-Dade County that meets program purchase price requirements. The property must be your primary residence. Given Westchester's median price of $680,000, verify that your target home falls within program limits.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your lender and housing counselor will help coordinate the closing process. Be prepared for processing times of 30 to 90 days depending on the program. You must provide 1% of the purchase price from your own funds for most county programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Westchester?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Can I afford a Westchester home with these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Westchester part of the City of Miami?+−
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