The City of Orlando can help you cover your down payment and closing costs—making homeownership more affordable than ever.
Verify Your Orlando Down Payment Assistance Eligibility
The City of Orlando offers a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program designed to support first-time homebuyers who are purchasing a home within Orlando city limits.
Eligible buyers can receive up to $45,000 to help cover down payment and closing costs, depending on their household income and financial need.
To qualify, applicants must take a certified homebuyer education course approved by HUD and work with a lender that’s registered with the city.
This program helps reduce the upfront cost of buying a home, making it easier for more families to achieve homeownership in Orlando.
The amount of assistance you can receive through the Orlando Down Payment Assistance Program depends on your household income. The lower your income, the more help you may qualify for.
| Income Level | % of Area Median Income (AMI) | Maximum Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Very Low | Below 50% | $45,000 |
| Low | 51% – 80% | $35,000 |
| Moderate | 81% – 140% | $20,000 |
This funding can be used to cover both your down payment and closing costs. The exact amount you receive is determined after reviewing your income, household size, and financial need.
Here’s what makes this program a standout opportunity for first-time homebuyers in Orlando.
Qualified buyers can get $20,000 to $45,000 in financial support based on household income—funds can be used toward both the down payment and closing costs.
Unlike many loan programs, this assistance is available even if you don’t have perfect credit.
The assistance comes as a 10-year deferred loan that’s completely forgiven if you stay in the home and don’t sell or rent it during that time.
Buyers typically need to contribute just $1,000 of their own funds—or as little as $500 for very low-income applicants.
Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, and townhomes located within Orlando city limits. (Mobile and manufactured homes do not qualify.)
You may qualify even if you don’t currently live in Orlando—applicants from Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia, or Brevard counties are eligible if they’ve lived there for at least 12 months.
To qualify for this program, you’ll need to meet several basic requirements:
You must be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years).
You must live in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia, or Brevard County and have been a resident for the past 12 months.
Your household income must fall within the program’s income limits, based on family size.
You must complete a homebuyer education course from a HUD-approved agency.
You must qualify for a fixed-rate mortgage from a lender registered with the City of Orlando.
You must contribute at least $1,000 toward your purchase—or $500 if you are low or very low income.
Meeting all of these criteria is required to access up to $45,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
Your household income must fall within the limits shown below to be eligible for assistance. The lower your income, the more financial support you may qualify for—up to $45,000.
| Household Size | 0–30% of Median (Extremely Low) | 31–50% of Median (Very Low) | 51–80% of Median (Low) | 81–120% of Median (Moderate) | Up to 140% of Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $22,150 | $36,900 | $59,050 | $88,560 | $103,320 |
| 2 people | $25,300 | $42,150 | $67,450 | $101,160 | $118,020 |
| 3 people | $28,450 | $47,450 | $75,900 | $113,880 | $132,860 |
| 4 people | $32,150 | $52,700 | $84,300 | $126,480 | $147,560 |
| 5 people | $37,650 | $56,950 | $91,050 | $136,680 | $159,460 |
| 6 people | $43,150 | $61,150 | $97,800 | $146,760 | $171,220 |
| 7 people | $48,650 | $65,350 | $104,550 | $156,840 | $182,980 |
| 8 people | $54,150 | $69,550 | $111,300 | $166,920 | $194,740 |
These income thresholds are based on the 2025 area median income (AMI) of $98,100 for Orlando and are updated annually by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Assistance is tiered by income level, with greater amounts available to households with lower earnings.
To use the Orlando Down Payment Assistance Program, the home you purchase must meet a few key conditions.
First, the property must be located within the official boundaries of the City of Orlando. Eligible property types include single-family homes, condos, and townhomes—whether they are newly built or existing.
Mobile homes, trailers, and manufactured housing do not meet the program’s criteria.
The home must either be vacant, currently lived in by the buyer, or owner-occupied. Properties that are tenant-occupied at the time of purchase are not eligible for assistance.
The maximum sales price allowed is $481,176, which reflects 90% of the area’s median purchase price as determined by the U.S. Treasury.
If you receive assistance, the city will place a second mortgage on the home for a period of ten years. During that time, you must live in the home as your primary residence.
You’ll also need to stay current on your mortgage, property taxes, and insurance—city staff may request verification to ensure compliance.
Still have questions? Here are some of the most common things buyers want to know before applying:
You’re considered a first-time buyer if you haven’t owned a home in the past three years. Some exceptions apply for certain professions and displaced individuals.
Depending on your income level, you may qualify for $20,000, $35,000, or up to $45,000 in assistance toward your down payment and closing costs.
The assistance is a 10-year deferred second mortgage that is fully forgiven if you meet the program’s conditions, including living in the home as your primary residence.
You can purchase a single-family home, condo, or townhouse within the City of Orlando. Mobile homes and tenant-occupied properties are not eligible.
As of 2025, the sales price of the home must not exceed $481,176, which reflects 90% of the area median purchase price.
Yes. You must complete a pre-purchase education course from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency before applying for assistance.
You must use a lender that is registered with the City of Orlando. If your preferred lender isn’t registered, they can complete the registration online.
Buyers are required to contribute at least $1,000 toward their purchase—or $500 if classified as low or very low income.
Yes, in many cases this program can be layered with other local, state, or lender-specific down payment assistance programs—but you’ll need to meet all requirements.
If you sell, rent out, or move out of the home before the 10-year period ends, you may be required to repay some or all of the assistance.
Navigating down payment assistance programs can be overwhelming—but we make it simple, fast, and stress-free.
Our team has hands-on experience helping first-time homebuyers use the Orlando DPA Program successfully, from application to closing.
We understand the program's requirements inside and out, and we’ll help you avoid common mistakes that could delay or derail your approval.
Whether it’s connecting you with a city-approved lender, ensuring your paperwork is complete, or helping you maximize your eligible assistance—we’re here to make sure every dollar you qualify for is put to use.
If you’re ready to own a home in Orlando with less cash upfront, we’re the partner you want in your corner.
