Florida help / Polk
Down payment assistance in Polk County
These are the plans we have checked in Polk 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 Polk
levels: county, city, state
last checked by a person
From the county
| Plan | Who runs it | Where | Kind of help | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County SHIP — Purchase Assistance | Polk County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida | Polk County, except the cities of Lakeland and Winter Haven | Deferred loan with no payments, forgiven in full at the end of the fifth year. Out of money (Sep 2026) | Official document County page |
| Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County — Home Key Plus 2nd Mortgage | Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County | Counties: Pasco, Pinellas, Polk | Deferred second loan with no payments, only together with the Housing Finance Authority's own first mortgage. It isn't forgiven: it's repaid in full when you sell, refinance or pay off your first mortgage, rent out the home or stop living in it. | Official document |
From your city
| Plan | Who runs it | Where | Kind of help | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Wales CRA — Down Payment Assistance Program | Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency | City of Lake Wales · certain areas only | Only for an existing single-family home, to cover the gap and closing costs. Deferred loan with no payments while you live in it, forgiven in full after 5 years. Only for certain areas of the city. Write to us and we'll tell you if your address is in. | Official document |
| Lakeland SHIP — Purchase Assistance | City of Lakeland | City of Lakeland | Deferred loan with no payments: half is forgiven at 5 years and the rest at the end of 10. Not for homes with a pool or mobile homes. No funds this year for part of this help: households earning 51% to 80% of area income. Checked Sep 2026. | Official document |
| Winter Haven SHIP — Purchase Assistance | City of Winter Haven | City of Winter Haven | Deferred loan with no payments, forgiven 20% each year: after 5 years you owe nothing. A used home only qualifies if it needs repairs. | 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.
