About the Down Payment Assistance Program

1. Overview

The City of Orlando’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program provides assistance to qualified first-time homebuyers for the down payment and closing costs associated with purchasing a home. The home must be located within city limits. The amount of eligible assistance is based on gross household income and need. All applicants must complete a pre-purchase homebuyer education workshop with a housing counseling agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and secure a first mortgage from a city-registered mortgage lender.

2. Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for assistance, you must meet all of the following criteria:

First-Time Homebuyer

You must not have owned a home in the past three years.

Exceptions (some requirements may apply):

  • Displaced homemaker
  • Single parent
  • Displaced homeowner from or future resident in the Parramore Heritage Overlay District
  • City of Orlando employee
  • Teacher/school administrator
  • Public safety personnel

Residency

You must have established residency for the last 12 consecutive months in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia or Brevard Counties.

Income Eligible

Visit our Income Eligibility Limits page for details.

Complete a Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshop

The workshop must be conducted by a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Find a Housing Counseling Agency

Get a mortgage

You must qualify for a loan for a first mortgage with a fixed rate. If your lender is not registered with the City of Orlando, they can register online.

Become a City-Registered Mortgage Lender 

Provide a minimum of $1,000 towards the down payment and closing costs ($500 if you are a Low or Very Low Income applicant).

 

3. What Properties are Eligible?

  • The property must be located within City of Orlando limits.
  • New or existing single-family homes, townhouses and condominiums are eligible. Mobile homes and trailers are not eligible.
  • The property may be owner-occupied, vacant or occupied by the applicant; tenant-occupied properties are not eligible.
  • The sales price must not exceed 90% of the median area purchase price established by the U.S. Treasury Department (Maximum sales price is $481,170.00).

Keep in mind:

A recorded mortgage and note will be placed on the property for ten years. During that time, the home must remain the principal residence of the owner and city staff will monitor the ownership to verify up-to-date payment of homeowners insurance, mortgage and property taxes. 

4. How Much Assistance is Available?

Income Level % of the Area Median Income Maximum Assistance
Very Low Below 50% $45,000
Low 51% - 80% $35,000
Moderate 81% - 140% $20,000

5. Does Assistance Need to be Repaid to the City?

• A recorded mortgage and note will be placed on the property for ten years.

• If you remain in the property and do not rent, sell or convey ownership of the property during the loan period, the loan will be forgiven.

• A satisfaction of mortgage will be recorded once the loan period is completed and the homeowner has complied with all requirements.

 

6. How Do I Apply for Down Payment Assistance?

Request Down Payment Assistance