Orlando and Orange County buyers can stack county, city, and statewide programs, often $50,000 to $100,000+ combined.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from Orange County, the City of Orlando and Florida Housing · Last updated: June 2026
Orange County is one of the best places in Florida to combine assistance: an income-tiered county program, a separate City of Orlando program, and the statewide Florida Housing programs.
Orlando and Orange County local assistance
| Program | Maximum assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County DPA (income-tiered) | $70,000 very-low / $40,000 low / $10,000 moderate | 0% deferred or forgivable second mortgage |
| Orange County SHIP | Up to $35,000 | Funded annually; can be exhausted |
| City of Orlando program | Up to $45,000 | Within Orlando city limits |
Programs require income qualification and first-time buyer status, and are structured as deferred or forgivable second mortgages (not cash grants). Funds are limited each cycle.
Statewide programs you can also use in Orange County
- Hometown Heroes: up to $35,000 for full-time workers in 50+ eligible occupations
- Florida Assist: up to $10,000, 0% deferred second mortgage
- HFA Preferred: conventional loan with reduced mortgage insurance plus assistance
- Mortgage Credit Certificate: up to $2,000/year federal tax credit
See the full breakdown on our Florida down payment assistance guide and the 2026 Orange County loan limits.
How to get started
Start with a HUD-approved homebuyer education course and get pre-qualified with a participating lender. Request a free eligibility check and we’ll map the Orange County, Orlando, and statewide programs you qualify for.
Sources: Orange County Neighbors/Housing, the City of Orlando, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 2026. Local funding is limited and allocated each cycle; verify current terms with the administering office.