Income Limits for Down Payment Assistance in Florida 2026

Income limits are the most common reason buyers assume they do not qualify for down payment assistance — and the most common reason they are wrong. Florida DPA income limits are more generous than most people realize, and they vary by program, county, and household size. Many Tampa Bay families earning $80,000 to $120,000 or more still qualify.

How Do DPA Income Limits Work?

DPA income limits are based on your total household income compared to the area median income (AMI) for the county where you are purchasing. The AMI is calculated annually by HUD and represents the midpoint of all incomes in a county. DPA programs set their limits as a percentage of AMI — for example, 100% of AMI or 120% of AMI.

Household income includes all adult household members who will be on the mortgage, not just the primary borrower. If you are buying alone, only your income counts. If you are buying with a spouse or partner, both incomes are considered.

2026 Income Limits by Program

According to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, the major programs use the following frameworks. Hometown Heroes caps household income at 150% of the county AMI (as of recent program updates). FL Assist and HFA Preferred PLUS have their own income thresholds published annually by Florida Housing, generally aligned with moderate-income ranges. County SHIP programs typically serve households up to 120% AMI, with priority for those below 80% AMI.

Because AMI figures differ by county, the actual dollar thresholds vary across Tampa Bay. Hillsborough and Pinellas counties tend to have higher AMI figures (and thus higher income limits) than Polk or Hernando counties.

What Counts as Household Income?

Programs typically count gross annual income from all sources. This includes base salary and wages, overtime and bonuses (usually averaged over 24 months), self-employment income (net from tax returns), Social Security and retirement income, child support and alimony received, rental income from investment properties, and any other recurring income sources.

According to participating lenders, the biggest surprises come from overtime income pushing households over the limit, or from counting income of all household members rather than just the borrower.

Strategies for Buyers Near the Income Limit

If your household income is close to a program's cap, several strategies can help. Consider which program has the highest limit — Hometown Heroes at 150% AMI may qualify you even if other programs do not. Review whether all household income must be counted — if only one spouse is on the mortgage, some programs may allow single-borrower qualification. Time your application carefully — income is typically calculated using recent pay stubs and prior-year tax returns. If you recently received a raise, your tax returns may still show a lower income. Ask your lender about averaging — overtime and bonus income are usually averaged over two years, which may lower your calculated income if recent earnings were unusually high.

Income Limits and Household Size

An important detail many buyers miss is that income limits increase with household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. This means a family with children may qualify at a higher total income than a single buyer or couple without children.

For example, if the income limit for a one-person household is $75,000, the limit for a four-person household might be $95,000 or higher. This adjustment recognizes that larger families need more income to maintain the same standard of living.

How to Check Your Eligibility

The most reliable way to determine whether you fall within income limits is to connect with a DPA-approved lender. They can calculate your qualifying income using the same methodology the programs use and tell you definitively which programs you can access.

Barrett Henry, REALTOR® with REMAX Collective, works with approved lenders who run DPA eligibility assessments for free. With 23+ years of real estate experience, Barrett has helped many Tampa Bay families discover they qualify for assistance they assumed was out of reach. Call (813) 733-7907 to get your income checked against current program limits.