Jacksonville down payment assistance comes from the city rather than the county, and you can pair it with up to $35,000 in statewide help.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from the City of Jacksonville and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Duval County buyers work with two layers rather than one. The City of Jacksonville runs a local program funded through state SHIP dollars, and separately every Florida buyer can reach the Florida Housing programs. Because the two draw on different money, you can usually combine them.
Jacksonville down payment assistance from the city
The city’s Head Start to HOME Ownership (H2H) program helps first-time buyers with down payment and closing costs, using State Housing Initiatives Partnership funding.
| Assistance | Up to $25,000, and occasionally more, depending on the annual allocation |
| Structure | Deferred second mortgage with no monthly payment |
| Income limit | At or below 80% of Duval County AMI, roughly $57,400 for one person and rising with household size |
| Requirements | First-time buyer, primary residence, minimum $500 buyer contribution, homebuyer education |
| Who runs it | City of Jacksonville Housing Services, 904-255-8241 |
However, the city awards this money in limited cycles and revises the terms each year. Therefore you should call Jacksonville Housing Services to confirm availability before you start shopping, not once you are under contract.
Statewide programs you can stack in Duval County
- Hometown Heroes: up to $35,000 if you work full-time in one of 50+ eligible occupations
- Florida Assist: up to $10,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage
- HFA Preferred: a conventional loan with reduced mortgage insurance, plus assistance
- Mortgage Credit Certificate: up to $2,000 a year as a federal tax credit
Since the city award targets the down payment and the state award can cover closing costs too, many buyers use both. Read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Duval County loan limits for how much you can borrow.
How to get started
First, confirm you have not owned a home in the past three years, because that rule gates almost every program here. Then finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course and get pre-qualified with a participating lender. Once that is done, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Jacksonville down payment assistance you qualify for against the statewide programs.
Sources: City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 2026. Local funding is limited and allocated each cycle; verify current terms with the administering office.