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title: "City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program"
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source_url: "https://www.fha.com/first-time-home-buyers-program/city-of-jacksonville-first-time-homebuyer-purchase-assistance-program"
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summary: "The City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides low-to-moderate income families with down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $25,000 for homes within Jacksonville city limits. The page also serves as a comprehensive reference for FHA loan requirements, credit score guidance, down payment options, refinance programs, and 2026 FHA lending limits."
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# City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program

2026 FHA Limits ▶ About FHA Loan Limits FHA Loan Limits for 2026 Search by State and County FHA vs. Conventional Loans FHA Requirements ▶ FHA Loan Requirements FHA Credit Requirements FHA Closing Costs FHA Mortgage Insurance Debt-to-Income Ratio First-Time Homebuyers Down Payments ▶ FHA Down Payment Requirements Down Payment Assistance First-Time Homebuyer Grants Down Payment Sources $25,000 Down Payment Program Credit Scores ▶ Credit Score Facts FHA Credit Issues Benefits of Good Credit Tips for Improving Credit Fixing Credit Report Errors Identity Theft and Fraud FHA Programs ▶ FHA Loan Programs Fixed Rate Loans Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) One-Time Close Loans FHA Rehab Mortgages FHA Reverse Mortgages FHA Refinance ▶ FHA Refinance Options FHA Cash-Out Refinance FHA Streamline Refinance FHA Simple Refinance Learning Resources ▶ Home Loan Questions and Answers Mortgage Terminology Mortgage Video Library Articles About FHA Loans Mortgage Calculators FHA 101 - Reference Guide More Links of Interest ▶ About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use FHA Foreclosures FHA Lenders 2026 FHA Limits for Your Site Site Map The City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program assists low-to-moderate income families purchasing existing or newly constructed homes in the city limits of Jacksonville with down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $25,000 of the h... Mortgage Video Library FHA Articles and Updates Mortgage Calculators GET STARTED! You may qualify for a 3.5% down payment loan. 2026 FHA Limits Loan Limits Are Updated Annually The FHA has a maximum loan amount that it will insure, which is known as the FHA lending limit. About FHA Loan Limits FHA Loan Limits for 2026 Search by State and County FHA vs. Conventional Loans Featured Article Read about FHA rules and updates to maximize your borrowing power. FHA Loan Limits Update Mortgage limits are calculated based on the median house prices in each county. These limits increase annually for many counties in the United States. This gives potential borrowers more options with FHA home loans. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! FHA Requirements FHA Guidelines for Borrowers FHA loans are a good option for homebuyers who have not saved much for their down payments. FHA Loan Requirements FHA Credit Requirements FHA Closing Costs FHA Mortgage Insurance Debt-to-Income Ratio First-Time Homebuyers Featured Article Learn what's required to qualify for a low 3.5% down payment FHA loan. Time to Get Started Examine your finances and credit before applying. The time you spend preparing today is time saved later on when filling out the actual forms. Know in advance what will show up when your credit report is pulled. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! Down Payments Why Rent When You Can Own? Down payments are calculated as a percentage of the purchase price, determined by the loan requirements. FHA Down Payment Requirements Down Payment Assistance First-Time Homebuyer Grants Down Payment Sources $25,000 Down Payment Program Featured Article Read about FHA rules and updates to your maximum borrowing power. Rules for Down Payments Your FHA lender is required to verify the source of all down payment funds, whether they are provided in cash by the borrower and are the result of cashed-in investments, gift funds, or other approved means. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! Credit Scores Good Credit Goes a Long Way FHA loan rules apply for all borrowers when it comes to basic minimum credit standards. Credit Score Facts FHA Credit Issues Benefits of Good Credit Tips for Improving Credit Fixing Credit Report Errors Identity Theft and Fraud Featured Article FHA rules and updates to your maximum mortgage borrowing power. Loans and FICO Scores FICO score issues are a common source of stress to potential FHA borrowers. Is it possible to qualify for an FHA loan or refinance loan with credit scores from 500 to 579? Or are higher scores required? Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! FHA Programs Choose an FHA Mortgage Option FHA-insured loans have always been a great option for first-time homebuyers. FHA Loan Programs Fixed Rate Loans Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM) One-Time Close Loans FHA Rehab Mortgages FHA Reverse Mortgages Featured Article Read about FHA rules and updates to your maximum borrowing power. Types of FHA Loans Potential homebuyers should explore their FHA home loan options, but that advice isn't limited just to the type of mortgage available to you. There are options available that may change your approach to homeownership. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! FHA Refinance Refinance and Rehab Loans Refinancing your home may eliminate existing monthly mortgage insurance premiums. FHA Refinance Options FHA Cash-Out Refinance FHA Streamline Refinance FHA Simple Refinance Featured Article With home values continuing to rise, refinancing makes sense. FHA Refinance Loan Rules Some refinance loans are specifically to get existing borrowers a better deal. But others need to refinance to help avoid further hurting their credit scores or going into loan default because of missed payments. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! Learning Resources Prepare for Your FHA Loan Our library includes mortgage videos, loan calculators, dictionary of loan terms, and homeowner articles. Home Loan Questions and Answers Mortgage Terminology Mortgage Video Library Articles About FHA Loans Mortgage Calculators FHA 101 - Reference Guide Featured Article Get an idea of how the affordability of your new mortgage might really work. Mortgage Calculator Tips Lenders encourage borrowers to use one these calculators to estimate their monthly payments, but you should be running some calculations long before you discuss your mortgage payments with a loan officer. Continue to Full Article Down Payment Options See Your Credit Scores Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your credit score means. It's never too early to get your credit in order. START TODAY! FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans. Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program Financial Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers in Florida The City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program assists low-to-moderate income families purchasing existing or newly constructed homes in the city limits of Jacksonville with down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $25,000 of the home’s purchase price. Assistance comes in the form of a zero-interest deferred forgivable loan and is conditioned on living and remaining in the home for up to fifteen (15) years. If this condition is not met, the buyer may be required to repay the city a portion of the original loan amount. If you sell, transfer, lease, rent, abandon, or cease to occupy the property as your principal residence during this period, you may be required to repay the assistance provided. Eligibility & Income Requirements Applicants must be first-time homebuyers, and all qualifying household annual income must be at or below 120% of the area median income depending on household size. These income limits are posted on their website which are subject to annual changes. Priority and highest dollar amounts are given to applicant households meeting this threshold in the following order: extremely low, very low, low-income, and moderate-income. Credit and Underwriting Applicants usually must meet the credit and debt-to-income requirements for approved primary lenders offering conventional, FHA, or VA loans. This program does not set a specific minimum credit, but approval for a mortgage for similar programs typically requires a minimum credit score of 620 to 640. The debt-to-income ratio requirements for these loans or comparable programs require a 28% front-end ratio and a maximum 35% - 45% back-end ratio. The front-end ratio is calculated by adding the new monthly mortgage payment plus taxes and insurance and dividing the sum by the borrower’s monthly gross income. The back-end ratio is calculated by adding together the mortgage payment and all a borrower’s monthly debt payments and dividing the sum by the borrower’s monthly gross income. Home Maximum Sales Price Eligible properties must be at or below 95% of the HUD-approved median area purchase price, which is currently set at $335,000. These prices are updated annually. This entire summary is based on the most current program guidelines available and may be subject to future updates. To see if you qualify, speak with your loan officer or visit their website for more information. Note: All information mentioned above was accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current - visit the program website for updated information. Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property. FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program. First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Florida Boca Raton First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Boca Raton First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $175,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (must not have owned a home for the last three years). Clearwater First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Clearwater First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $75,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Coral Springs First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program The City of Coral Springs First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $80,000 of the home’s purchase price for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Daytona Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Daytona Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $50,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Deerfield Beach First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program The City of Deerfield Beach First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $70,000 of the home’s purchase price for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Delray Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Delray Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $75,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Duval County Home Sweet Home Program The City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyers Head Start to Home Ownership Program (H2H) provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $25,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the Jacksonville city limits. Fort Lauderdale First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Fort Lauderdale First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $75,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Gainesville First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Gainesville First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $30,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program The City of Jacksonville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program assists low-to-moderate income families purchasing existing or newly constructed homes in the city limits of Jacksonville with down payment and closing cost assistance loans up to $25,000 of the home’s purchase price. Lakeland First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Lakeland First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $30,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Miami First-Time Homebuyer Program The City of Miami First-Time Homebuyer Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $70,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the Miami city limits. Orlando First-Time Homebuyer Program The City of Orlando Down Payment Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $45,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the Orlando city limits. Palm Bay First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Palm Bay First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $17,400 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Panama City First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of Panama City First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $50,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the Panama City limits. Pensacola and Escambia County First-Time Homebuyer Program (SHIP) State Housing Initiative Partnership The City of Pensacola and Escambia County First-Time Homebuyer Program (SHIP) provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $45,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (not owned a home for the last three years) in Escambia County or the city of Pensacola boundaries. St. Petersburg Purchase Assistance Program The City of St. Petersburg First-Time Homeowners’ Purchase Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $75,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the St. Petersburg city limits. Tallahassee Lenders' Consortium First-Time Homebuyer Program The City of Tallahassee First-Time Homebuyer Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to 20% of the purchase price of the home for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years) within the Tallahassee city limits. Tampa First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program The City of Tampa First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program – “Dare to Own the Dream” provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $50,000 of the home’s purchase price for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Titusville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program The City of Titusville First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $70,000 of the home’s purchase price for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program The City of West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyers Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance up to $100,000 for income eligible first-time homebuyers (have not owned a home for the last three years). Down Payment Grants in Florida Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program Broward County recognizes that many individuals cannot afford monthly mortgage payments who don't have the required down payment. The Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program helps potential homebuyers by offering down payment assistance. Escambia County Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance The program provides down payment and closing costs assistance to income-eligible applicants in the form of a zero-interest, deferred second mortgage, with the maximum loan amount being $7,500. This can be used in conjunction with the programs 4 percent first mortgage exclusively. Hardest Hit Fund Down Payment Assistance The Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County offers the Hillsborough First with Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) Down Payment Assistance Program. The program is meant to help first-time homebuyers who do not have enough money saved for hefty down payments and closing costs. Head Start To HOME Ownership Program The City of Jacksonville offers the Head Start To HOME Ownership Program, also known as H2H, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible applicants interested in purchasing a home. HFA Miami-Dade Mortgage Program The Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade recognizes the high upfront costs of purchasing a home. To help offset this cost, the HFA offers a first mortgage as well down payment assistance to potential homebuyers. Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County's First-time Homebuyer Program is designed to help potential borrowers purchase the home of their dreams. Along with a first mortgage, the program helps borrowers with down payment assistance via the Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage. Home Ownership Program With their Home Ownership Program, the Housing Finance Authority of Manatee County offers homebuyers down payment assistance. In addition to a first mortgage, the program gives borrowers the chance to cover the down payment and/or closing costs as well. Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program The Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County offers homebuyers the Home Sweet Home Hillsborough Program that helps applicants overcome the hurdle of expensive down payments. Lee County FirstPlus Program Florida's Lee County Housing Finance Authority provides first-time homebuyers down payment and closing cost assistance with the FirstPlus program. This program works on a first-come, first-served basis and is continuously funded. Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program Florida residents in Orange County can take advantage the Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides funding to income-eligible first-time homebuyers to help them purchase a new or existing home to be put toward paying qualified closing costs and the down payment. Palm Bay HOME Down Payment Assistance Program The City of Palm Bay in Florida established the HOME Down Payment Assistance Program, which is designed to help income-eligible applicants with down payment and closing cost assistance to purchase their first home, and rehabilitation, if needed. State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program in Charlotte County provides income-eligible applicants up to 10 percent of the purchase price (a maximum award of $15,000), in the form of a zero-interest loan. SEE YOUR CREDIT SCORES From All 3 Bureaus Do you know what's on your credit report? Learn what your score means. GET STARTED Compare FHA Rates Explore your options for an FHA Purchase, Streamline Refinance, or Cash-Out Refinance Loan. GET STARTED! Start Now You may qualify for a 3.5% down payment loan. Today's FHA Rates National Averages These figures are for information purposes only. Average rates are subject to change without notice. 30-Year FHA Fixed 6.28 % 1-week change -0.02 ↓ 1-year change -0.24 ↓ 4-week average 6.28 % 1-year average 6.13 % This product uses the FRED® API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 2025 Government Shutdown The federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025 ended on November 12, 2025. The 43-day federal shutdown was the longest in history. Borrower Update: What does the end of the government shutdown mean for your home loan? LEARN MORE Top Mortgage Questions Our mortgage team has answers for these and other frequent homebuyer questions. Are There Programs to Help Buyers With the Down Payment? What are the FHA Requirements for Rental History? How Do I Dispute Something on My Credit Report? MORE FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Monitor Your Credit It's important to monitor your credit well in advance of any major credit application, especially before applying for an FHA home loan. SEE YOUR SCORE Good credit = a low down payment Building a Home? An FHA One-Time Close loan can finance the construction, lot purchase, and permanent loan, all wrapped up in a single mortgage and closing. AVAILABLE NOW Brought to you by FHA Reverse Mortgage Are you over the age of 62? See how you can get tax-free income with no monthly payments. LEARN MORE More Links of Interest About FHA.com Contact Our Team Our Privacy Policy Terms of Use FHA Foreclosures FHA Lenders 2026 FHA Limits for Your Site Site Map Copyright © 1997 - 2026 FHA.com is a privately owned website, is not a government agency, and does not make loans. Neither FHA.com nor its advertisers charge a fee or require anything other than a submission of qualifying information for comparison shopping ads. Follow Us Are You Looking to Buy or Refinance a Home? Ideal for First-Time Homebuyers Low 3.5% Down Payment Requirements Credit Score Requirements as Low as 580 FHA loans are one of the top loan types in America for first-time homebuyers. Many people who can afford the monthly mortgage payments and have reasonable credit will qualify. Down payment assistance may be available in your area.