For first-time buyers

First-Time Homebuyer Programs in Brevard County, Florida

I'm Rachel Langley, a REALTOR® on Florida's Space Coast. Down payment help in Brevard comes from two places: the State of Florida and individual cities. This page lists each program, the amounts, who qualifies and whether it is funded right now.

The short answer: First-time buyers in Brevard County can combine a Florida Housing loan with down payment assistance. Statewide, Florida Housing offers FL Assist (up to $10,000), the Hometown Heroes program (5% of the loan, up to $35,000, for eligible workers) and other second mortgages. Locally, the cities of Melbourne, Titusville and Cocoa run purchase assistance programs with published maximums from $17,400 to $67,400 depending on income. As of November 2026, the Brevard County program and the Palm Bay program were listed as not funded.

Last updated November 12, 2026. Rachel Langley is a REALTOR®, not a lender or a housing counselor. Program rules and funding change, so confirm everything with the agency and a participating lender.

Programs at a glance

Program	Where it applies	Maximum help	Status in November 2026
Florida Hometown Heroes	Statewide, for eligible workers	5% of the first mortgage, $10,000 minimum, $35,000 maximum	2026 program posted by Florida Housing. Ask a participating lender whether funds remain.
FL Assist	Statewide	Up to $10,000	Listed by Florida Housing
FL HLP	Statewide	$12,500	Listed by Florida Housing
HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS	Statewide, conventional loans	3%, 4% or 5% of the loan	Listed by Florida Housing
City of Melbourne purchase assistance	Inside Melbourne city limits	$34,500 to $44,500 by income	Brochure dated May 2026
City of Titusville first-time homebuyer	Titusville	$17,400 to $67,400 by income	Brochure effective May 1, 2026
City of Cocoa purchase assistance	Cocoa	$32,400 to $37,400 by income	Brochure effective May 1, 2026
Brevard County purchase assistance	Brevard County	Not published	Listed as currently not funded
City of Palm Bay	Palm Bay	Not published	Listed as currently not funded

Sources: Florida Housing Finance Corporation and program brochures published by Community Housing Initiative (CHI), the nonprofit that administers the local programs, read November 12, 2026. A brochure being posted does not guarantee funds are left. Call before you plan around any of these.

State programs through Florida Housing

Every Florida Housing program shares the same base rules: a minimum credit score of 640, a participating lender, an approved homebuyer education course, and income and purchase price under the county limits. You must be a first-time buyer, which the IRS defines as not having owned and lived in a home in the last three years. The first mortgage is a 30-year fixed loan.

Hometown Heroes

Up to 5% of the first mortgage, from $10,000 to $35,000, as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment. It is not forgiven: it is due when you sell, refinance, transfer the deed or move out. For full-time employees of Florida-based employers in health care, schools, first response, public safety, the courts and child care, plus active and reserve military and veterans. You must buy a primary home in the community where you work or serve.

FL Assist

Up to $10,000 as a 0% second mortgage with no monthly payment, on FHA, VA, USDA or conventional loans. It is not forgiven: it is due when you sell, refinance or move out.

FL HLP

$12,500 as a 3% second mortgage paid monthly over 30 years. The payment counts in your debt-to-income ratio, and the balance is due if you sell, refinance or move out.

HFA Preferred and HFA Advantage PLUS

3%, 4% or 5% of the loan as a second mortgage that is forgiven at 20% a year over five years. Available only with Florida Housing's conventional first mortgages.

Florida Housing publishes Brevard's income and loan limits in a separate file that I could not open on November 12, 2026, so ask a participating lender for the current Brevard limits.

City programs in Brevard County

City of Melbourne

The home must be inside Melbourne city limits. Mobile homes are not eligible.
Maximum help for down payment, closing costs and repairs: $44,500 at very low income (50% of area median or less), $42,000 at low income (51% to 80%) and $34,500 at moderate income (81% to 120%).
You bring at least $1,000, $1,500 or $2,000 of your own cash, depending on income tier.
It is a 0% deferred second mortgage, forgiven over 5 years if under $15,000 and over 10 years if larger. A share of sale proceeds can be recaptured if you sell early.
A 5-hour homebuyer education workshop is required.

City of Titusville

Maximum purchase price: $312,000 for an existing home and $329,000 for new construction.
Maximum help: $67,400 at very low income, $47,400 at low income and $17,400 at moderate income. Essential services workers such as teachers, law enforcement, fire and EMS, health care and government employees can receive up to $5,000 more with a five-year employment commitment.
You bring at least $500, $1,500 or $2,500 of your own money, depending on income tier. Gift funds are not allowed.
It is a 0% deferred second mortgage with a lien period of 5 to 15 years depending on the amount, and 20 years on new construction.
A homebuyer education workshop is required.

City of Cocoa

Maximum purchase price: $312,000 for an existing home and $329,000 for new construction. Homes built before 1978 and mobile or modular homes are not eligible.
Maximum help: $37,400 at very low income and $32,400 at low income, each including $5,000 for repairs.
You bring at least $500 or $750, and liquid assets above $4,000 must go toward the purchase.
It is a 0% deferred second mortgage forgiven at 10% a year over 10 years.

Brevard County and Palm Bay

CHI lists both the Brevard County purchase assistance program and the City of Palm Bay program as currently not funded. For the county, call Housing and Human Services at (321) 633-2076. For Palm Bay, call Housing and Community Development at (321) 726-5633. CHI answers funding questions at (321) 253-0053.

How to use these programs, in order

Start with a participating lender. The lender, not the agent, confirms which programs you qualify for and whether funds are available this week.
Take the homebuyer class early. Every program requires one, and the certificate has to be in hand before closing.
Match the city to the program. City money only works inside that city's limits. A Melbourne mailing address is not always inside the City of Melbourne, and I check that for every home we look at.
Watch the price caps. Titusville and Cocoa cap the price at $312,000 for existing homes and $329,000 for new construction, which shapes the search.
Write the offer around the timeline. Assistance programs add steps and inspections, so the contract needs enough time to close.

Loan limits and costs to know

The 2026 conforming loan limit for a one-unit home in Brevard County is $832,750, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. For the cost side of a first purchase, read conventional vs FHA loans for Space Coast buyers, property taxes in Brevard County (including the homestead exemption), Florida homeowners insurance explained and HOA fees in Brevard County.

Where first-time buyers are finding homes

My first-time homebuyer guide for Brevard County: the order to do things in
New construction under $400K in Brevard County
Every Brevard County builder compared, including townhomes from the $260s
Space Coast home buyer FAQ: 20 questions I hear most
The free Home Buyer Roadmap

New construction guides

All Brevard County builders Viera Builders Lennar Pulte and Del Webb D.R. Horton Maronda Homes Ashton Woods Taylor Morrison

Frequently asked questions

Is there down payment assistance in Brevard County, Florida?

Yes. Florida Housing offers statewide programs such as FL Assist (up to $10,000) and Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000 for eligible workers), and the cities of Melbourne, Titusville and Cocoa run their own purchase assistance programs. As of November 2026 the Brevard County and Palm Bay programs were listed as not funded.

Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer in Florida?

Florida Housing uses the IRS definition: someone who has not owned and lived in a home during the previous three years. Its programs also require a minimum 640 credit score, a participating lender and a homebuyer education course.

How much is the Florida Hometown Heroes program?

Up to 5% of the first mortgage amount, with a $10,000 minimum and a $35,000 maximum, as a 0% deferred second mortgage that is repaid when you sell, refinance or move out.

Does Titusville have a first-time homebuyer program?

Yes. The City of Titusville brochure effective May 1, 2026 lists maximum assistance of $67,400, $47,400 or $17,400 depending on income, with purchase price caps of $312,000 for existing homes and $329,000 for new construction.

Is down payment assistance free money?

Usually not. Most programs are second mortgages. Some are forgiven over 5 to 10 years if you stay in the home, and others must be repaid when you sell, refinance or move out.

Can I use down payment assistance on new construction?

Often yes. Titusville and Cocoa publish a higher price cap of $329,000 for new construction. The home, the price and the builder's timeline all have to fit the program rules.

Sources:

This page is general information, not lending, legal or tax advice. Program amounts, eligibility and funding change without notice. Confirm current terms with the agency and a participating lender before you rely on them.

Buying your first home in Brevard?

Let's map out your plan

Tell me where you work and what payment feels comfortable. I will connect you with lenders who work with these programs, and build a search around the cities and price caps that fit.

Book a time with Rachel

Rachel Langley & Nichole Barna, REALTOR®s · Blue Marlin Real Estate

(321) 212-7676 · rachel@livingspacecoast.com