Hillsborough County down payment assistance depends on which side of the Tampa city line you buy on, and the gap between the two programs is $35,000.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Where you buy in the Tampa Bay area matters more than almost anywhere else in Florida. The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County run entirely separate programs, and the city award is more than three times the county one. Either way, you can still layer the Florida Housing programs on top.
Tampa and Hillsborough County down payment assistance
| Program | Assistance | Key terms | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tampa, Dare to Own the Dream | Up to $50,000 | 0% deferred loan that the city forgives after 20 years of owner occupancy; income at or below 140% AMI; 600 credit score; $2,000 buyer contribution | Inside Tampa city limits |
| Home Sweet Home Hillsborough (county) | Around $15,000 | 0% deferred second mortgage that you repay on sale or refinance; pairs with an FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage | Unincorporated Hillsborough County |
Both programs run on limited funding and both ask for homebuyer education and first-time buyer status. However, the amounts and the income caps shift every cycle. Therefore you should confirm the current terms before you make an offer, not after.
Statewide programs you can stack in Hillsborough 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 local and state awards come from different pots, most Tampa buyers use both. For the wider picture, read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Hillsborough County loan limits to see how much you can borrow.
How to get started
First, work out whether your target address falls inside Tampa or in unincorporated Hillsborough County, because that single fact changes your award. 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 show you which Tampa, county and statewide programs fit.
Sources: Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services, City of Tampa 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.