TL;DR
- Broward buyers have three real sources of help in 2026: Hometown Heroes up to $35K, FL Assist up to $10K, and Broward County purchase assistance up to $100K.
- Several cities stack their own money on top, including Weston up to $50K.
- Most programs want a 640 credit score, an income under the county cap, and an 8-hour homebuyer class.
- The money is real. It’s just badly advertised. That’s what this guide fixes.
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 families walk away from homeownership because they thought the down payment was impossible. It usually isn’t. Broward is one of the most generous assistance markets in Florida. You just have to know where to look.
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?
Three programs matter most, and they are very different sizes.
Florida Hometown Heroes helps full-time Florida workers. Any industry, as long as you work for a Florida employer. It pays up to 5% of your loan amount, capped at $35,000, as a 0% deferred second mortgage.
Florida Assist (FL Assist) is the broad fallback. It pairs with a Florida Housing first mortgage and adds up to $10,000 more toward your down payment and closing costs.
Broward County Purchase Assistance goes biggest of all. Funded through county HOME dollars, it can reach up to $100,000 for buyers in the lower income tiers, as of mid-2026.
Here’s the part most buyers miss: city money. As of mid-2026, Weston offers up to $50,000, and Margate and Oakland Park each offer up to $40,000 for buyers inside their limits. If your target city runs a program, we use it.
| Program | Help available | Repayment |
|---|---|---|
| FL Hometown Heroes | Up to $35,000 | 0% deferred, repay on sale or refi |
| FL Assist | Up to $10,000 | 0% deferred, repay on sale or refi |
| Broward County | Up to $100,000 | Forgivable over time if you stay |
How does the $35,000 down payment assistance money move?
The money never touches your hands. It moves between four parties, and you sign twice.
Your lender originates both loans. Florida Housing holds the second one quietly. You pay nothing monthly on it. It comes due when you sell or refinance. 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.
Income limits trip people up most. They vary by county and household size, and Broward’s cap sits higher than people guess. A family earning a solid middle income often still qualifies.
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 class booked that week. They closed on a renovated home in the exact neighborhood they wanted. Their kids each have a room now.
That’s what this money is for. If you’re eyeing Davie or Cooper City, the entry price points there stretch this help even further.
What disqualifies you, and what to do about it
The usual culprits are income over the county limit, owning a home in the last 3 years, buying above the price cap, or skipping the required 8-hour homebuyer class. The Urban League of Broward and the Housing Foundation of America both run the class, often free.
Credit is the other one. Most programs want a 640 or better. Not there yet? I’ll connect you with a lender who coaches credit at no cost. It’s more fixable than you think, and often faster.
Ready to see which programs fit you? The next step is a real number, and that starts with a conversation. Here’s how I work with buyers once you’re ready to shop.