Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program
Down Payment Assistance Program
Eligibility Criteria:
- First-time homebuyers may be eligible for up to $45,000 in assistance.
- The program is designed to help purchase a new or existing home.
Who Qualifies:
- Individuals who have not owned a home in the past three years, with some exceptions.
Income Requirements:
- Annual income must fall within specified categories.
- Very Low and Low Income buyers: Contribute the greater of $500.
- Moderate Income buyers: Contribute the greater of $1,000.
- Minimum middle credit score of 620.
- Program available for Orange County residents.
- Buyers must have established residency over the last 12 consecutive months in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk Seminole, Volusia, or Brevard Counties.
- Must have the legal right to permanently reside in the United States.
How to Get Started:
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Attend an approved Homebuyer Educational Seminar from one of the following agencies:
- H.A.N.D.S. of Central Florida: 407-447-5686 (OPTION 4) (English) / 407-447-5686 (OPTION 2) (Spanish) www.cflhands.org
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service Maryland (CCCSMD): 800-642-2227 www.cccsmd.org/prepurchase-counseling/
- Housing & Education Alliance: 407-955-9036 www.heausa.org/first-timehome-buyer-classes/
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Contact a lending institution to obtain a loan commitment and qualify for a first mortgage.
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Find a home within the sales price limits and your pre-approved loan amount.
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Submit the application online: Orange County Online Portal
Eligible Properties:
- Maximum sales price for new and existing homes is $300,000.
- Single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and modular homes are eligible.
- Mobile homes are not eligible.
Loan Conditions:
- Funding is used for qualified closing costs and down payment associated with purchasing a home.
- Homebuyer Assistance must be repaid if the property is sold, rented, refinanced, or not occupied during the lien period.
- It is a 10-year deferred payment loan, forgiven annually.
For more information, contact:
Orange County Housing and Community Development Division
525 East South Street, Orlando, Florida 32801
Telephone: 407-836-5150
Fax: 407-836-5197
Orange County HCD Website