Down Payment Assistance in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida
Short answer
Florida buyers can use Hometown Heroes (5% of the loan, $10,000 to $35,000) or $10,000 Florida Housing assistance in every county we serve, and sometimes county SHIP help too, depending on income, price and program. Funding and guidelines change, so check before you write an offer.
Ask about your actual file — no SSN, no credit pull.
Updated October 2026
Quick answer: North Star Mortgage Network, Inc. is a Jacksonville mortgage broker that has helped Florida buyers use down payment assistance since 2000. We offer Florida Hometown Heroes and Florida Housing down payment assistance in every county we serve, placing these loans through approved participating lenders, and we help buyers check county SHIP programs in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau and the surrounding counties. Funding changes fast, so availability is confirmed before you write an offer; program guidelines apply.
Check what you qualify for Start an application Call 904-880-6741
What down payment help do we offer?
Two statewide Florida Housing options work in every county below, and county SHIP money can sometimes add more:
| Program | Help | Pay it back? | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Hometown Heroes | 5% of your first mortgage, from $10,000 to $35,000 | 0% interest, no monthly payment; repaid in full when you sell or refinance | First-time buyers working full-time in an eligible occupation, plus service members |
| Florida Housing $10,000 assistance | $10,000 | 0% interest, no monthly payment; repaid in full when you sell or refinance | First-time buyers within income and purchase price limits. Retirees and part-time workers can qualify |
| County SHIP programs | Varies by county | Set by each county | Depends on county funding and what you qualify for |
Florida Housing programs require a 640 minimum credit score for every borrower, debt-to-income generally no higher than 50%, and homebuyer education for one borrower (not required on VA loans). Terms are set by Florida Housing and are subject to change. Compare details in Florida Housing down payment assistance, compared.
Is Hometown Heroes available right now?
Yes, as of the latest public update. Florida’s 2026–27 budget put $50 million into Hometown Heroes, and the round opened July 13, 2026. As of September 21, 2026, more than $25 million was still reported available (Make Florida Your Home; Florida Realtors). Last year’s money ran out early, so don’t wait.
How it works, in plain English:
- Amount: 5% of your first mortgage, from $10,000 to $35,000.
- Cost: a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment.
- Payback: not forgiven. It’s due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed, or stop living there.
- Who: at least one buyer works full-time for an employer with a Florida location they work from, in health care, K-12 schools, fire and EMS, law enforcement and corrections, the courts, or licensed child care. Active-duty service members qualify, and veterans qualify when they work full-time for a Florida employer in any job.
- Basics: 640 minimum credit score, first-time buyers only, homebuyer education, and county income and price limits.
- Timing: funds are reserved first come, first served, only after you have a signed contract.
Full details are on our Hometown Heroes guide.
How do income limits work?
Some versions of these programs count your total household income. Others count only the income on your loan application, so a buyer may be able to leave a spouse off the loan or exclude overtime and bonus income. We’ll check which version helps you most. Self-employed Hometown Heroes buyers need a letter from a CPA, bookkeeper or tax preparer confirming full-time work.
Is there down payment help in my county?
Every Florida county receives state SHIP housing money, but whether a down payment program is open right now varies. Here’s where to start:
| County | Towns | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Duval | Jacksonville, Mandarin, Arlington, Westside, Beaches | The City’s Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) program uses its own approved lender list. We’ll tell you honestly if H2H or a state program fits you better |
| Clay | Orange Park, Fleming Island, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights | Clay County SHIP may add help for qualified first-time buyers (Clay County). Amounts depend on county funding and what you qualify for |
| St. Johns | St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, Fruit Cove | St. Johns County SHIP offers a deferred second that’s forgiven over time. Waitlists are common |
| Nassau | Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard | Nassau County runs a SHIP program; check the county housing office for openings |
| Baker | Macclenny, Glen St. Mary | Check Baker County SHIP. Many areas are also USDA-eligible (0% down) |
| Bradford | Starke, Lawtey, Hampton | Check Bradford County SHIP. USDA is often the bigger help here |
| Putnam | Palatka, Interlachen, Crescent City | Check Putnam County SHIP. USDA-eligible in many areas |
| Flagler | Palm Coast, Bunnell, Flagler Beach | Check Flagler County SHIP. State programs apply |
| Columbia | Lake City, Fort White | Check Columbia County SHIP. USDA-eligible in many areas |
| Union | Lake Butler | Check Union County SHIP. USDA-eligible in many areas |
| Alachua | Gainesville, Alachua, High Springs, Newberry | Alachua County and the City of Gainesville run separate programs |
State programs (Hometown Heroes and the Florida Housing $10,000 assistance) work in every county above.
Can I combine down payment assistance with FHA, VA or USDA?
Often, yes. Florida Housing programs pair with FHA, VA, USDA or conventional first mortgages for qualified buyers. There are also FHA down payment assistance options with their own rules. See FHA down payment assistance, VA loans and manufactured home loans. Program guidelines apply, guidelines may change, and lender overlays may be stricter.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
For Florida Housing programs, yes. Every buyer who will live in the home must be a first-time buyer, meaning you haven’t owned a home you lived in during the past 3 years. A co-signer who won’t live in the home doesn’t have to be. Start with our first-time home buyer guide.
Why use a broker for down payment assistance
Down payment programs vary a lot in cost and fine print. We aren’t a state agency. We place these loans through approved participating lenders, so your file is handled by us directly. As an independent broker since 2000, we look at which first mortgage pairs best with which program for your actual numbers, not the one product a bank happens to sell. You get competitive pricing, a clear side-by-side comparison, and fast closings on complete files. North Star has Hundreds of 5-Star Google Reviews, and Nathan Young was named 2025 NAMB Mortgage Broker of the Year.
Down payment assistance FAQ
Is Florida Hometown Heroes still available in 2026?
As of September 21, 2026, funds from the $50 million round that opened July 13, 2026 were still available. Funds are reserved first come, first served after you have a signed contract, so availability can change quickly.
How much is Hometown Heroes?
5% of the first mortgage amount, from $10,000 to $35,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment. It isn’t forgiven and is due on sale, refinance or transfer.
Who qualifies for Hometown Heroes?
First-time buyers where at least one buyer works full-time in an eligible field, such as health care, K-12 schools, fire and EMS, law enforcement and corrections, the courts, or licensed child care, for an employer with a Florida location they work from. Active-duty service members qualify, and veterans qualify when they work full-time for a Florida employer in any occupation. Income and price limits apply.
How does the Florida Housing $10,000 assistance work?
It is a $10,000 second mortgage with no interest and no monthly payment. It is repaid in full when you sell or refinance. Income and purchase price limits apply, and program guidelines apply.
What credit score do I need for Florida down payment assistance?
Florida Housing programs require a 640 minimum credit score for every borrower, and debt-to-income generally can’t exceed 50%. Program guidelines apply, and all loans are subject to credit approval.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer?
For Florida Housing programs, yes. Every buyer who will live in the home must be a first-time buyer, meaning no ownership of a home you lived in during the past 3 years. A co-signer who won’t live in the home doesn’t have to be a first-time buyer.
Is there down payment assistance in Clay County?
Yes. Statewide Florida Housing programs work in Clay County, and Clay County’s SHIP program may add help for qualified first-time buyers. SHIP amounts are set by the county and depend on available funding and what you qualify for.
Can I use down payment assistance on a manufactured home?
Some programs allow manufactured homes that meet their rules and some don’t. Ask before you sign a contract.
Is the City of Jacksonville H2H program the same as Florida Housing assistance?
No. Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) is run by the City of Jacksonville for homes inside Duval County and is closed by the city’s own approved lenders. Florida Housing programs such as Hometown Heroes are statewide. We’ll tell you honestly whether H2H or a state program fits you better.
Can the seller help with my closing costs?
Often, yes. Seller contribution limits depend on the loan type. Down payment assistance plus a seller credit can together cover much of your cash to close for qualified buyers.
North Star Mortgage Network, Inc. · 12058 San Jose Blvd, Suite 404, Jacksonville, FL 32223 · 904-880-6741 · Company NMLS #356789 · Nathan Young NMLS #325206 · Equal Housing Opportunity
North Star Mortgage Network, Inc. is not a government agency and is not affiliated with Florida Housing Finance Corporation or any county program. Program terms, funding, income and purchase price limits are set by each program and are subject to change. Available for qualified borrowers; program guidelines apply. Guidelines may change, and lender overlays may be stricter. Any rate or payment figure is an estimate based on the information provided. Rates and terms are subject to change. All loans subject to credit approval.
