Orange County Florida down payment assistance can reach $70,000 on its own, and buyers who stack the county, city and state programs often clear $100,000.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from Orange County, the City of Orlando and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Orange County is one of the easiest places in Florida to combine assistance, because three separate layers operate here at once. The county runs an income-tiered program, the City of Orlando runs its own, and every buyer in the state can also reach the Florida Housing programs.
Orange County Florida down payment assistance programs
| 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 | The county funds this annually, and it can run dry |
| City of Orlando program | Up to $45,000 | Within Orlando city limits |
Notice that your income band, not the purchase price, sets the size of the award. Each program also asks for first-time buyer status, and none of them hands you cash. Instead the county records a deferred or forgivable second mortgage against the property. However, the money runs on annual cycles, so apply early if you can.
Statewide programs you can stack in Orange 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 draw on separate funding, most Orlando buyers qualify for both. For the wider comparison, read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Orange County loan limits.
How to get started
First, finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Then get pre-qualified with a participating lender, because no county will reserve funds without one. Once that is done, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Orange County Florida down payment assistance you qualify for alongside the Orlando and statewide programs.
Sources: Orange County Housing and Community Development, 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.