Miami-Dade down payment assistance combines county and HFA money worth up to $35,000, and you can layer the statewide Florida programs on top.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from Miami-Dade County and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Because Miami-Dade prices sit above the Florida loan-limit floor, the county runs more than one assistance program at the same time. Public Housing and Community Development administers them, so the terms come from the county rather than from your lender.
Miami-Dade down payment assistance programs
| Program | Maximum assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (county) | Up to $35,000 | 0% interest, 30-year deferred; no monthly payment |
| Documentary Surtax Program | Up to $30,000 | 0% interest deferred second mortgage |
| HFA of Miami-Dade | Up to $10,000 | Deferred, zero-interest second mortgage |
Income caps rise with household size, running from roughly $95,620 for one person to $136,500 for a household of four. Each program also asks that you buy your primary residence inside Miami-Dade and that you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Statewide programs you can stack in Miami-Dade
- 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 county money and the state programs answer to different rulebooks, most buyers qualify for both. For the wider picture, read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Miami-Dade County loan limits.
How to get started
First, finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Then get pre-qualified with a participating lender, because the county will not reserve funds without one. Once that is in hand, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Miami-Dade down payment assistance you qualify for against the statewide programs.
Sources: Miami-Dade County Public 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.