Florida help / Marion
Down payment assistance in Marion County
These are the plans we have checked in Marion County so far: from the county, from its cities, and from the state, each with the link to its official document. We keep looking for more.
plans we have checked in Marion
levels: county, city, state
last checked by a person
From the county
| Plan | Who runs it | Where | Kind of help | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County SHIP — Purchase Assistance | Marion County | Whole county | Deferred loan with no payments, forgiven in full at the end of its term (20 or 30 years, depending on the amount); nothing is forgiven before then. In the City of Ocala, only when the city's own program has run out. No funds this year for part of this help: households earning up to 50% and 121% to 140% of area income. Checked Sep 2026. | Official document |
| Escambia County Housing Finance Authority — Classic DPA Program | Escambia County Housing Finance Authority | Counties: Alachua, Bay, Bradford, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hernando, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Marion, Martin, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, St. Lucie, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton | Deferred second loan with no payments, only together with the Escambia County Housing Finance Authority's own first mortgage, which must be FHA, VA or USDA. It isn't forgiven: it's repaid in full when you sell or transfer the home, or refinance or pay off your first mortgage. Applications are served in order: apply early, with all your papers ready. | Official document |
From your city
| Plan | Who runs it | Where | Kind of help | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocala SHIP — Purchase Assistance | City of Ocala | City of Ocala | Deferred loan with no payments, forgiven in full at the end of 10 years; nothing is forgiven before then. Not for mobile homes. No funds this year for part of this help: households earning up to 50% and 81% to 140% of area income. Checked Sep 2026. Applications are served in order: apply early, with all your papers ready. | Official document |
From the state
| Plan | Who runs it | Where | Kind of help | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) | Florida Housing Finance Corporation | All of Florida | Deferred second mortgage at 0%, with no payments. It isn't forgiven: it's repaid when you sell or transfer the home, refinance or pay off your first mortgage, or stop living in the home. | Official document |
| Florida HFA Advantage PLUS | Florida Housing Finance Corporation | All of Florida | Second mortgage with no payments, forgiven 20% on each anniversary of your closing: after 5 years you owe nothing. | Official document |
| Florida Hometown Heroes | Florida Housing Finance Corporation | All of Florida | Deferred second mortgage with no payments. It isn't forgiven: it's repaid when you sell or transfer the home, refinance or pay off your first mortgage, or stop living in the home. | Official document |
Data checked by a person against each official document.
Help at little or no cost, even if you never use us
These organizations exist to help people buy a home. We have no agreement with them and they don't endorse us: they're here because they're useful.
Housing counseling approved by HUD
Independent advice on your budget, your credit and your loan, often at little or no cost to you.
Find a counselor (HUD)A homebuyer course
Many assistance plans ask for one. HUD-approved counseling agencies teach it; ask them when you call.
Find a counselor (CFPB)Your county's housing office
The office that runs your county's assistance can tell you what's open and how to apply.
Find your county's office (Florida Housing)Source for “little or no cost”: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Find a housing counselor.
Which ones fit you, and how much?
It depends on your income, your household, the home and the city where you buy. Some plans can be combined and others can't. The app works it out for your household and for the month you'll be ready to buy, with each amount checked by a person against the official plan.
