Palm Beach County down payment assistance runs to $100,000 per household, and the county forgives the balance outright if you stay long enough.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Sourced from Palm Beach County and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Because Palm Beach sits well above the Florida loan-limit floor, the county funds deeper assistance than almost anywhere else in the state. In addition, its Department of Housing and Economic Development runs two separate routes, and the income ceiling differs sharply between them.
Palm Beach County down payment assistance programs
| Program | Maximum assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SHIP Purchase Assistance | Up to $100,000 | Serves households up to 140% AMI; 30-year 0% deferred second mortgage |
| HOME Investment Partnerships | Up to $100,000 | Federal money, with a ceiling of 80% AMI |
| Homebuyer Match Pilot (new 2026) | Up to $50,000 | First-come pilot with limited initial funding |
| City of West Palm Beach | Up to $100,000 | Within West Palm Beach city limits |
Each one works as a 0% second mortgage over a 30-year term, and therefore nothing lands on your monthly budget. If you occupy the home as your principal residence for that full term, the county forgives the balance entirely. However, the awards run on limited annual cycles, so apply as early in the cycle as you can.
Finally, one sequencing detail catches people out. You need a pre-approval letter from a first-mortgage lender before the county will take your application, so arrange the financing first.
Statewide programs you can stack in Palm Beach 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 county funds and Florida Housing programs draw on separate pots, most buyers use both. Read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Palm Beach County loan limits.
How to get started
First, finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Then get pre-qualified, because the county application depends on it. Once you have the letter, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Palm Beach County down payment assistance you qualify for against the statewide programs.
Sources: Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development, the City of West Palm Beach, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 2026. Local funding is limited and allocated each cycle; verify current terms with the administering office.