--- title: "Treasure Coast Down Payment Assistance Programs | Pete & Kate" url: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/homebuyer-assistance-programs description: "Down payment help for buyers in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Stuart. See which state and local programs are open now." lang: en --- Image: Sunlit homes and palm trees beside docks on a blue Treasure Coast river (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/home-value-B7HaS4eW.webp) All Guides: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/guides # Homebuyer Assistance Programs on the Treasure Coast Many Florida buyers qualify for help and never find out. Here is what is available right now. This program applies to homes purchased in Florida. See ProgramsTalk to Pete & Kate Last updated: October 2026 Maximum Hometown Heroes help $35,000 Maximum FL Assist help $10,000 Interest on most programs 0% Image: Parents and a child sitting on the steps of a light Florida home with a sage front door and palms (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/porch-BGagOPYA.jpg) ## A few things to know - Most help is a second mortgage, not a grant - Many have no monthly payment and are repaid when you sell or refinance - Some programs can be combined, so ask before you pick a lender ## Statewide programs Image: Coastal home with a welcoming front porch and landscaped palm trees (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/9d3a3e6b-38ed-42d0-a91d-9dd2184b7a13/curb-appeal.webp) Open ### Florida Hometown Heroes Up to $35,000 (5% of loan) 0%, no monthly payment. For full-time Florida workers. See program details: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/hometown-heroes-port-st-lucie Image: Front door of a coastal home framed by columns and palms (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/87304e77-7d8b-4e50-9388-9b1fa9c02890/front-door.webp) Open ### Florida Assist (FL Assist) Up to $10,000 0%, no monthly payment. ### See program details Image: Bright furnished living room with large windows and an open kitchen (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/2fe00bbf-74d7-4160-b337-fb7c4a7f06af/interior.webp) Open ### Florida Homeownership Loan Program FL HLP Up to $10,000 Low interest with a small monthly payment. ### See program details ### FL Assist vs. FL HLP | Program | FL Assist | FL HLP | | --- | --- | --- | | Amount | Up to $10,000 | Up to $10,000 | | Interest | 0% | 3% | | Monthly payment | None | About $69 | | Forgiven? | No | No | Monthly payments shown are for the assistance loan only, principal and interest. Property taxes and insurance are not included. ### 2026 income and price limits by county You can use only one Florida Housing program per purchase. Local county or city help can sometimes be added on top. ## Local programs by area 2 programs open now - Open ### City of Fort Pierce Home Purchase Assistance St. Lucie County 0% deferred second mortgage. Home must be inside Fort Pierce city limits. Mandatory orientation required. Opened October 1, 2026. First come, first served. 772-467-3161 (+17724673161) - Open ### Indian River County SHIP Purchase Assistance Indian River County Deferred loan, no monthly payment, for income-eligible households. Open through June 30, 2027 or until funds run out. Appointments only. - Check Status ### City of Port St. Lucie SHIP Purchase Assistance St. Lucie County No open round right now. Call Neighborhood Services for the next opening. 772-344-4084 (+17723444084) - Check Status ### Martin County SHIP Martin County Currently focused on home repairs and rental help, not purchase assistance. - Closed ### St. Lucie County (unincorporated areas) St. Lucie County Not currently accepting applications. Program status changes often. Call to confirm before applying. Image: Light-colored Florida home shaded by mature oak trees (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/__l5e/assets-v1/317038a9-e818-42ec-8f0a-5b4e42f101ed/established-home.webp) ## Habitat for Humanity For income-eligible households. Buyers help build homes (sweat equity), take homeownership classes and receive an affordable mortgage. Affiliates serve St. Lucie, Indian River and Martin counties. Image: Sunlit Florida neighborhood homes and palms around a calm lake (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/community-gallery-4-0iTtlH_g.jpg) ## Ask about combining assistance Hometown Heroes plus local help can cover most of your down payment. Hometown Heroes plus a local program can cover most or all of the down payment and closing costs on a moderately priced home. Ask your lender if you qualify for both. Image: A couple receiving house keys outside a pale blue Florida home entrance (https://www.petekaterealestate.com/assets/keys-B5aT1G7l.jpg) ## How to get started 1. Talk to Pete & Kate about your goals and area 2. Get pre-approved with a Florida Housing participating lender 3. Take a homebuyer education class if your program requires one 4. Find your home and get under contract 5. Your lender reserves the funds and you close ## Frequently asked questions ### Is down payment assistance free money? ### Do I have to be a first-time buyer? ### Can I combine programs? ### Do I apply with the state? ### Does the home location matter? ## Avoid scams There is no fee to apply for these programs. Anyone charging you for access is not legitimate. ## Questions about buying on the Treasure Coast? Call Pete or Kate Call Pete: +17722841419 Call Kate: +17723424006 Contact: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/contact ## Related Guides New Construction Buying Process: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/guides/new-construction-buying-process Property Taxes: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/guides/property-taxes Selling Your Home, Step by Step: https://www.petekaterealestate.com/guides/selling-your-home-step-by-step ## Not sure which program fits you? We will help you sort it out. Talk to Peter and Kate. Peter White 772-284-1419: +17722841419 Kate Ward 772-342-4006: +17723424006 REMAX Gold Program terms, funding and availability change often and are set by each agency. Pete & Kate are Realtors, not lenders. Confirm current details with the program or a participating lender. Call Us (+17722841419) ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "RealEstateAgent", "name": "Pete & Kate Real Estate", "url": "https://petekaterealestate.com", "telephone": "+1-772-284-1419", "description": "Kate Ward and Peter White, REALTORS with The McKinney Team at REMAX Gold. 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