The new Remarkable DPA Program Florida launched today, and it is set to reshape affordability for first-time homebuyers, community heroes, and families across the state. This program was designed to remove the most common barrier to homeownership: the down payment. With rising home values across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, St. Johns County, and much of Florida, help with upfront funds could not come at a better time. This program offers a 2 percent down payment grant that is 100 percent forgivable, and it comes with flexible qualification rules that give more Floridians a real chance to purchase a home.

This blog breaks down the entire program in plain language. You will understand who qualifies, how simple the requirements are, and how this new assistance can help your clients or family buy sooner than they ever thought possible. The Remarkable DPA Program Florida is one of the most generous programs available today, and buyers across Northeast and Central Florida should take advantage of it while it is here.

How the Remarkable DPA Program Florida Works

The program provides a 2 percent down payment grant. This money does not need to be repaid. It does not create a lien. It does not carry future restrictions. It is fully forgivable from day one. Many assistance programs place limits or claw-backs on funds, but this program does not. It is true down payment help with no strings attached.

For Florida buyers, this means lower upfront costs and a much easier path into conventional financing. This can reduce the total cash needed to close by thousands of dollars. Buyers who were waiting to save more money may now qualify with the funds they already have.

The program works on a standard DU Approve/Eligible loan file. That means the buyer runs through traditional automated underwriting. Once the findings are approved, and the buyer meets at least one eligibility factor, the down payment assistance is added automatically.

Who Qualifies for the Remarkable DPA Program Florida

One of the strongest features of the Remarkable DPA Program Florida is how simple the qualification path is. The borrower only needs to meet one of the following requirements.

First-Time Homebuyer Qualification

A buyer is considered a first-time homebuyer if they have not owned a home in the last three years. A large number of Florida renters qualify under this definition without realizing it. Many have sold in the past or moved out of a previous property but have not owned a home for more than three years. They qualify immediately.

Community Hero and First Responder Eligibility

This program specifically supports community heroes across Florida. This includes teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, and many other public service roles. Florida continues to grow, and essential workers create the backbone of the state. The Remarkable DPA Program Florida helps many of these workers buy closer to where they serve.

Military, Veterans, and Volunteers

Active-duty military, reservists, veterans, and nonprofit volunteers also qualify. Florida has one of the largest veteran populations in the country, and this program strengthens their ability to own a home with less upfront cash.

Underserved and Rural Census Tracts

Homes located in eligible rural or underserved census tracts qualify even if the buyer does not meet any other requirement. Buyers can look up a property instantly using the CFPB rural/underserved tool:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rural-or-underserved-tool/

This helps families buying in northern St. Johns County, Clay County, Nassau County, and rural areas across Florida.

Income at or Below 140% AMI (Optional)

This is an optional path. Many buyers will qualify with other criteria, but this gives moderate-income earners another route. Buyers can look up their area median income here:
https://ami-lookup-tool.fanniemae.com/amilookuptool/

Basic Requirements for the Remarkable DPA Program Florida

This program keeps the rules simple. To qualify, a borrower must have:

• A 620 or higher FICO
• DU Approve/Eligible
• A debt-to-income ratio of 49.999% or lower
• A single qualifying borrower is allowed

The last rule is important. Only one borrower needs to meet the program criteria. This helps many couples or co-borrowers because one person can carry the qualification even if the other does not meet certain requirements.

Why the Remarkable DPA Program Florida Matters for Buyers Today

This program helps solve a major challenge: the gap between income and rising home prices. Florida continues to attract new residents, and markets like Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Nocatee, and Palm Coast grow faster every year. Many buyers can afford the payment but cannot save the full down payment on top of rising rents, higher living costs, and inflation.

This 2 percent grant can cover most or all of the required down payment on many conventional loans. For example, a buyer putting 3 percent down only needs 1 percent of their own funds. Some buyers will have enough to cover that amount without needing months or years of additional savings.

This can also help buyers who are competing with cash offers. With lower upfront cash needs, they can shift funds toward appraisal gaps, inspections, or reserves—making their offer stronger and more appealing to sellers.

Local Impact Across Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and North Florida

Florida homebuyers in Jacksonville, Riverside, St. Johns, Nocatee, St. Augustine, Mandarin, and even Tallahassee and Orlando can all benefit from this assistance. These areas move fast, and buyers who were waiting for the “right moment” may now be able to move forward.

North Star Mortgage Network works with homebuyers throughout every county in Florida. We walk families through the program step-by-step and confirm eligibility before they make an offer. This avoids surprises and makes the process smooth and predictable.

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