Down Payment Assistance Programs in Florida: A Guide for Brevard County Buyers

Saving a full down payment is the single biggest hurdle for most first-time buyers — but Brevard County buyers actually have three separate assistance programs to look into, and they aren't always well known. Here's what each one actually offers, who qualifies, and how they work.

Figures below are current as of 2026 and sourced directly from each program's administrator, but funding levels, income limits, and purchase price caps change from year to year. This page is general information, not financial or legal advice — confirm current details and your own eligibility with a participating lender before making decisions.

Brevard County Purchase Assistance Program

Source: Brevard County Housing and Human Services

Brevard County's own program, funded through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), offers up to $75,000 for very-low-income buyers (at or below 50% of area median income) or up to $60,000 for low-income buyers (51–80% AMI). The assistance is a 0% interest deferred payment loan recorded as a second mortgage — no monthly payments, but it's repaid in full if you sell, refinance, or stop using the home as your primary residence.

First-time buyers only (no ownership interest in a home in the past 3 years)
Liquid assets can't exceed $15,000
A 5-hour homebuyer education workshop is required
Minimum buyer contribution: $500 (very-low income) or $1,000 (low income)
Property must be in Brevard County, new or existing (manufactured homes excluded)

Applications go through Community Housing Initiative, Brevard County's program administrator, at (321) 253-0053.

Housing Finance Authority of Brevard County First-Time Homebuyer Program

Source: Brevard County Housing Finance Authority (brevardhfa.org)

Brevard County's Housing Finance Authority pairs a 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage (1.0% origination fee) with up to $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, structured the same way — a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage. Buyers can also request a Mortgage Credit Certificate worth up to $2,000 per year as a federal tax credit for the life of the loan.

Minimum 640 FICO score
First-time buyers only (same 3-year rule, waived for qualifying veterans)
Household income limit: $149,850
Purchase price limit: $466,355 (most of Brevard County) or $592,211 in designated target areas
Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and PUDs in Brevard County

Funds are available first-come, first-served through the Authority's participating lenders — there's no direct application to the county or the Authority itself.

Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Source: Florida Housing Finance Corporation, statewide

Hometown Heroes is a statewide program open to Florida's community workforce — full-time employees of hospitals, K-12 schools, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, the courts, and licensed childcare facilities, among others. Eligibility is based on where you work, not your specific job title.

Down payment assistance equal to 5% of your first mortgage loan amount — a minimum of $10,000, up to $35,000
0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment
Minimum 640 FICO score
Income limits are set per county and adjusted annually — check current Brevard County limits with a participating lender or Florida Housing directly, since this figure isn't fixed statewide

Like the two programs above, this is a deferred loan, not a grant — it's repaid when the home sells, is refinanced, or stops being your primary residence.

Which one is right for you?

It depends on your income, whether you've owned a home before, and whether your employer qualifies for Hometown Heroes. A participating lender can run your numbers against all three at once — we work with buyers across Brevard County regularly and can point you toward lenders who handle these programs often.

A veteran? A VA loan can mean no down payment at all — see our VA home loans guide →

Down Payment Assistance FAQ

Can I combine more than one down payment assistance program?

Usually not two second-mortgage programs at once — but a Mortgage Credit Certificate can typically be paired with one of them. Because the rules change and depend on your specific loan, a participating lender is the best source for what you can combine.

Do I have to be a first-time home buyer to qualify?

For the Brevard County and Brevard County HFA programs, yes — generally defined as not having owned a primary residence in the past three years (this is waived for qualifying military veterans). Florida Hometown Heroes is based on your employer/profession rather than first-time buyer status.

What credit score do I need?

The Brevard County HFA program and Florida Hometown Heroes both set a 640 minimum FICO score. The county Purchase Assistance Program does not publish a minimum score, but your first mortgage lender will still have its own requirement.

Is the assistance a grant I never have to pay back?

No — all three programs here structure the assistance as a 0% interest, deferred second mortgage, not a grant. You don't make monthly payments on it, but it becomes due if you sell, refinance, or stop using the home as your primary residence, so budget accordingly.

How do I actually apply?

You apply through a participating first-mortgage lender, not directly through the county or the state — the lender layers the assistance on top of your regular mortgage application. Reach out and we can point you to lenders in Brevard County who work with these programs regularly.

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