The short answer: In 2026, Broward first time buyers can tap three layers of help. Florida Housing’s statewide programs (Hometown Heroes at 5% of the loan, $10,000 to $35,000, for eligible workforce jobs, and FL Assist up to $10,000), plus Broward County’s Home Buyer Purchase Assistance, which your lender applies for and whose amount depends on the area and open funding. Most Florida Housing programs want a 640 credit score, an approved homebuyer course, and income under the county limit.
TL;DR
- Hometown Heroes: 5% of your first mortgage, $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum, for eligible full time workers and veterans, as of October 2026.
- FL Assist: up to $10,000, 0% deferred, for buyers using a Florida Housing first mortgage.
- Broward County HPA: county purchase assistance, applied for by your lender, with amounts set in the county’s current flyer.
- Figures checked against official program pages on October 20, 2026. Funding opens and closes, so confirm with a participating lender.
If you’re buying your first home in Broward County, the first time home buyer programs here can hand you real money, and most buyers never hear about them. Let’s fix that today.
I’m Marlo. I grew up here, and I’ve watched people walk away from homeownership because they thought the down payment was impossible. It usually isn’t. You just have to know where to look, and who actually runs each program.
One quick note before we start. This guide is the Broward specific playbook. For the statewide picture and the full process, see my first time buyer programs page.
What programs pay first time buyers in Broward County?
Two agencies matter: Florida Housing Finance Corporation (statewide) and Broward County’s Housing and Urban Planning Division (local). Here’s what each one offers, as of October 2026.
Florida Hometown Heroes helps first time, income qualified buyers in specific workforce jobs. Florida Housing limits it to people employed full time by a Florida based employer as health care workers, school staff, first responders, public safety or court employees, or child care workers. Active duty and reserve service members, Coast Guard members, Florida National Guard members, and veterans working full time for a Florida based employer qualify too. It pays 5% of your first mortgage ($10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum) as a 0%, 30 year deferred second mortgage. It is not forgivable. The 2026 income and loan limits live on the program page, so check your county’s row.
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is the broad fallback. Per Florida Housing’s homebuyer page, it offers up to $10,000 on FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional loans as a 0% deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment.
Florida Housing’s other seconds. The same page lists the Florida Homeownership Loan Program second mortgage ($12,500 at 3%, with a monthly payment over 30 years) and the HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS seconds (a percentage of the loan, up to 5%, forgiven 20% a year over five years when paired with the matching conventional first mortgage). Your lender tells you which ones pair with your loan.
Broward County Home Buyer Purchase Assistance (HPA) is the local layer. Broward County offers it to qualified buyers in the areas the county serves. There’s no online application. Your lender applies on your behalf, and the county’s HPA flyer lists the current amounts and which areas have funding. Some cities partner with the county on it, like Oakland Park.
| Program | Help available (Oct 2026) | Repayment |
|---|---|---|
| FL Hometown Heroes | 5% of loan, $10,000 to $35,000 | 0% deferred, due on sale, refi, transfer, or move out |
| FL Assist | Up to $10,000 | 0% deferred, due on sale, refi, transfer, or move out |
| FL HLP second | $12,500 | 3%, paid monthly over 30 years |
| HFA Preferred / Advantage PLUS | Up to 5% of loan | Forgiven 20% a year over 5 years |
| Broward County HPA | Set in the county’s current flyer | Per county terms |
Broward also runs a Mortgage Credit Certificate program, which can lower the cost of your loan over time. Ask your lender if it fits alongside your other help.
How does the Hometown Heroes money move?
The money never touches your hands. It moves between four parties, and you sign twice.
Your participating lender originates both loans. Florida Housing holds the second one quietly. You pay nothing monthly on it. It comes due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, or stop living in the home. That’s the whole trick, and it trips up almost everyone the first time they hear it.
Do you qualify for Broward first time buyer programs?
Run the checklist. Five boxes. Most working buyers clear four without trying.
Here’s how Florida Housing defines the basics for its homebuyer programs, as of October 2026:
- First time buyer: you haven’t owned and occupied a primary residence in the last three years.
- Credit: 640 minimum.
- Education: you finish an approved homebuyer education course before closing.
- Lender: you work with an approved, participating lender.
- Limits: your income and purchase price fit the county limits for that year.
Income limits trip people up most. They vary by county and household size, and they change every year. A household earning a solid middle income often still fits. Text me your household size and income and I’ll check the current table with you.
Most of my first time buyers qualified for money they didn’t know existed.
Marlo, on why she writes these guidesA family of five came to me sure they’d never qualify. Renting forever felt safer than hearing no. I asked one question: why not? We ran their numbers, lined up their program fit, and got their course booked. They closed on a renovated home in the exact neighborhood they wanted.
That’s what this money is for. If you’re eyeing Davie, Cooper City, or Pembroke Pines, ask me how these programs line up with the price points there.
What disqualifies you, and what to do about it
The usual culprits: income over the county limit, owning and living in a home in the last three years, a price above the cap, or skipping the homebuyer course. Your participating lender can point you to an approved course provider.
Credit is the other one. Most programs want a 640 or better. Not there yet? I’ll connect you with a lender who can walk you through what to fix first. It’s often more fixable than you think.
And timing matters. Hometown Heroes and county funds open and close. Getting preapproved with a participating lender early means you’re ready when money is available. Here’s how I work with buyers once you’re ready to shop.
Want me to check which of these you qualify for? Get in touch with your rough income and target area, and I will name your programs.