Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance Programs — 2026 Guide

What DPA Programs Are Available in Hillsborough County?

Hillsborough County is the economic engine of Tampa Bay, home to more than 1.5 million residents across cities and communities including Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City, Temple Terrace, and Seffner. As the most populated county in the region, it also has the highest volume of home sales — and some of the strongest DPA programs available to Florida buyers.

Hillsborough County buyers can access county-level programs administered by the Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Office, City of Tampa housing programs for buyers purchasing within city limits, and statewide programs administered by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. According to Florida Housing, Hillsborough County consistently ranks among the top counties in the state for DPA utilization.

The key programs available include Hillsborough County SHIP, City of Tampa DPA, Florida Hometown Heroes, Florida Assist, and HFA Preferred PLUS. Each has unique eligibility rules, and many can be combined — or stacked — to maximize your total assistance.

How Does the Hillsborough County SHIP Program Work?

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program provides locally administered, state-funded housing assistance. In Hillsborough County, SHIP funds are managed by the Affordable Housing Office and used for down payment assistance, closing cost help, home rehabilitation, and other housing needs.

• Down payment and closing cost assistance — SHIP can provide grants or deferred loans to help cover your down payment and closing costs. Amounts vary based on funding availability, household income, and family size.
• Income-based eligibility — SHIP typically serves households earning at or below 120% of the area median income. Lower-income households may qualify for larger assistance amounts or more favorable terms.
• First-come, first-served — SHIP funds are limited and disbursed as applications are approved. When the county opens a new funding cycle, applying early is critical. Hillsborough County typically announces new SHIP funding availability on their housing office website.
• Homebuyer education required — You must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before receiving SHIP funds. Many courses are available online and in person throughout Tampa Bay.

Because Hillsborough County is the largest county in the Tampa Bay metro, its SHIP allocation is among the highest in the region. This means more funding is available here compared to smaller surrounding counties — but demand is also higher, so early application remains important.

Does the City of Tampa Have Its Own DPA Programs?

Yes. The City of Tampa has historically operated its own housing assistance programs through the Housing and Community Development division. These city-specific programs are separate from Hillsborough County SHIP and serve buyers purchasing homes within Tampa city limits.

• City of Tampa DPA — Down payment and closing cost assistance for income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing within Tampa city limits. Program details, amounts, and availability depend on current funding from federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships program allocations.
• Neighborhood stabilization programs — The City of Tampa has periodically offered enhanced assistance in targeted neighborhoods to encourage homeownership and community revitalization.
• Stackable with county and state programs — City of Tampa DPA can potentially be combined with Hillsborough County SHIP and statewide programs like Hometown Heroes, subject to lender and program approval.

If you are buying within Tampa city limits, ask your participating lender about both city and county DPA options. Buyers in unincorporated Hillsborough County (Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Seffner, etc.) should focus on county SHIP and statewide programs.

Which Statewide Programs Can Hillsborough County Buyers Use?

In addition to county and city programs, Hillsborough County buyers have access to Florida's statewide DPA programs:

• Florida Hometown Heroes — Up to $35,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. 0% interest, no monthly payments, forgivable. Available to all full-time Florida workers who are first-time homebuyers. Full Hometown Heroes guide
• Florida Assist — Up to $10,000 as a deferred 0% interest second mortgage. No monthly payments. Can be paired with FHA, VA, or conventional loans through Florida Housing. Full Florida Assist guide
• HFA Preferred PLUS / HFA Advantage PLUS — Below-market first mortgage rates through Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, paired with DPA grants or second mortgages. Reduced PMI for eligible buyers. Full HFA Preferred guide

These programs work throughout all of Hillsborough County — whether you are buying a home in downtown Tampa, a new build in Riverview, a family home in Brandon or Valrico, or a property in Plant City or Temple Terrace.

How Can Military Buyers Near MacDill AFB Benefit from DPA?

Hillsborough County is home to MacDill Air Force Base, one of the largest military installations in the southeastern United States. Active-duty service members, veterans, and military families stationed at or near MacDill have powerful DPA options available:

• VA loan + Hometown Heroes — Combine a zero-down VA loan with up to $35,000 from Florida Hometown Heroes. This combination can eliminate all out-of-pocket costs at closing, making it one of the best homebuying deals in the country for military families.
• VA loan + SHIP — Military buyers who meet income requirements can also qualify for Hillsborough County SHIP assistance on top of their VA loan benefit.
• No first-time buyer requirement for VA — While most DPA programs require first-time buyer status, the VA loan itself has no such restriction. Veterans who previously owned homes can still use VA financing and may qualify for Hometown Heroes if they have not owned in three years.

With MacDill AFB located on the south end of the Tampa peninsula, military buyers often purchase in nearby communities like South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, and Apollo Beach — all areas where DPA programs apply.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Eligibility varies by program, but most Hillsborough County DPA programs share these core requirements:

• First-time homebuyer status — You cannot have owned a primary residence in the past three years. If you owned a home more than three years ago, you qualify again.
• Income limits — Your household income must fall within program limits. Hillsborough County, as the anchor of the Tampa-St. Petersburg MSA, has relatively higher income limits than rural Florida counties, meaning more buyers qualify.
• Purchase price limits — The home must fall within maximum purchase price thresholds set by the program. These are updated periodically by Florida Housing.
• Primary residence — The home must be your primary residence. Investment properties and second homes do not qualify.
• Participating lender — You must work with a Florida Housing-approved lender for statewide programs.
• Homebuyer education — A HUD-approved course is required for most programs.

With median home prices in Hillsborough County ranging from the mid $300,000s to well above $400,000 depending on the area, DPA programs can significantly reduce the cash needed at closing. Even buyers with moderate incomes often qualify for substantial help — especially when stacking multiple programs.

How Do You Apply for Hillsborough County DPA?

Applying for down payment assistance in Hillsborough County involves a few key steps:

1. Contact a participating lender. A Florida Housing-approved lender can assess your eligibility for statewide, county-level, and City of Tampa programs simultaneously. Call Barrett Henry at (813) 733-7907 for a referral.
2. Get pre-approved. Your lender will verify income, credit, employment, and first-time buyer status, then determine which programs and loan products fit your situation.
3. Complete homebuyer education. Finish a HUD-approved course before closing. Many are available online and in-person throughout Tampa Bay.
4. Find your Hillsborough County home. Work with a REALTOR experienced in DPA transactions to find a home within purchase price limits and negotiate the best terms.
5. Close and move in. DPA funds are applied at closing. Your second mortgage records behind your first mortgage with no monthly payments required.

The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 days from pre-approval to closing. Funding is first-come, first-served, so starting early gives you the best chance of receiving full benefits.

Can You Stack Multiple DPA Programs in Hillsborough County?

Yes — and stacking is one of the smartest strategies available to Hillsborough County homebuyers. Program stacking means combining multiple sources of assistance to maximize the total help you receive. Here is how it can work:

• Hometown Heroes + SHIP — Combine up to $35,000 from Hometown Heroes with additional Hillsborough County SHIP funds for down payment and closing costs.
• Hometown Heroes + City of Tampa DPA — If buying within Tampa city limits, you may be able to stack state and city assistance for even greater benefit.
• FL Assist + HFA Preferred — Pair $10,000 from Florida Assist with a below-market rate HFA Preferred first mortgage for lower monthly payments.
• DPA + seller-paid closing costs — Negotiate seller concessions to cover additional closing costs, stretching your DPA further toward the down payment.
• VA or USDA + Hometown Heroes — Veterans and rural buyers can combine zero-down loans with up to $35,000 in Hometown Heroes assistance — potentially buying with no money out of pocket.

Not every combination is allowed, and your participating lender will determine which stack works best for your financial profile. The goal is to reduce (or eliminate) the cash you need at closing while securing the lowest possible monthly payment.

Which Hillsborough County Cities and Communities Are Covered?

Down payment assistance programs cover all cities, census-designated places, and unincorporated communities within Hillsborough County. Here are some of the largest communities where buyers frequently use DPA:

Whether you are looking at a new construction home in Riverview, a historic bungalow in Tampa Heights, or a family home in Valrico or FishHawk, DPA programs apply throughout the county.