Pinellas County down payment assistance reaches $75,000, and St. Petersburg runs a separate award of the same size.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Program details from Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Where you buy inside Pinellas decides which door you knock on, because three separate offices fund these awards. The county, the City of St. Petersburg and the local Housing Finance Authority each run their own program, and all three pair with the Florida Housing programs.
Pinellas County down payment assistance programs
| Program | Maximum assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance | Up to $75,000 | Interest-free deferred loan; the county reopened it in December 2025 |
| City of St. Petersburg program | Up to $75,000 | Within St. Petersburg city limits |
| Home Key Plus (HFA of Pinellas) | Up to $7,500 | 0% non-amortizing second mortgage; $1,000 buyer contribution |
In addition, all three ask for first-time buyer status, or qualifying veteran status, plus homebuyer education and a primary residence in the county. However, each one runs on limited annual funding. Therefore the practical question is usually which program still has money, not which pays most.
Statewide programs you can stack in Pinellas 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 local and state awards come from separate funding, most buyers here qualify for both. For the wider comparison, read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Pinellas County loan limits.
How to get started
First, finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Then get pre-qualified with a participating lender, because none of these offices will reserve funds without one. Once you hold that letter, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Pinellas County down payment assistance you qualify for against the statewide programs.
Sources: Pinellas County, the City of St. Petersburg, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 2026. Each office allocates limited funding per cycle, so verify current terms before you rely on an amount.