5 Home Buyer Assistance Programs in Palm Beach County

Q: Do I have to be a first-time buyer to qualify?

Not always. Some programs define first-time buyer as someone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years. The county matching grant requires that you don't currently own a home, but it doesn't require first-time buyer status.

Published: March 19th, 2026 | Updated: May 14th, 2026

Up to $100,000 in down payment help. Matching grants that don't need to be repaid. Programs specifically for teachers, nurses, and first responders. These five programs are available right now, and most Palm Beach County buyers don't know they exist.

Key Takeaways

Palm Beach County residents can access up to $100,000 in home-buying assistance through county, state, and city programs.
Teachers, firefighters, nurses, and law enforcement officers qualify for special programs with lower mortgage rates.
Most programs can be stacked, meaning eligible buyers could combine multiple sources of assistance.

Buying a home in Palm Beach County requires serious upfront cash. A 5% down payment on a $450,000 home is $22,500. Add closing costs of $8,000 to $15,000, and the total can reach $35,000 to $40,000 before you ever make a mortgage payment.

That's the barrier. But there are programs designed to help, and most buyers in South Florida don't know they exist. Here are five that are available right now.

1. Palm Beach County Matching Grant (Up to $50,000)

Best for: Income-eligible renters who can bring some cash to the table

This is a new pilot program launching in 2026. The county will match what you contribute, with grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The money can go toward down payments, closing costs, or repairs.

How to apply: Pre-applications open March 30th and close April 20th. Only 60 applicants will be randomly selected from the pool to move forward, so the window is short and demand will be high.

Eligibility: Income-qualified, non-homeowners only.

We covered this program in detail here: How to Apply for Palm Beach County's $50K Matching Grant.

2. SHIP Purchase Assistance Program (Up to $100,000)

Best for: First-time buyers who need significant help with upfront costs

This is the largest assistance program available in the county. The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) offers up to $100,000 for income-eligible first-time buyers. Funds cover down payments, closing costs, and acquisition expenses.

How it works: The assistance is structured as a deferred loan secured by the property. You don't make payments on it unless you sell, refinance, or stop using the home as your primary residence.

Heads up: Applications fill up fast. When funding becomes available, it goes quickly.

More info: Palm Beach County SHIP Program

3. Florida Hometown Heroes (Up to $35,000)

Best for: Teachers, firefighters, nurses, law enforcement, and other essential workers

This state-level program is designed for Florida's workforce. It provides up to 5% of the loan amount (max $35,000) for down payment and closing costs, plus lower mortgage interest rates through participating lenders.

Who qualifies: The list of eligible occupations is long. Teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, military, and childcare workers all qualify. So do many other professions considered essential to Florida communities.

Why it's valuable: Beyond the down payment help, the lower interest rate saves money over the life of the loan. That's a benefit most grant programs don't offer.

More info: Florida Hometown Heroes Program

Not sure which programs you qualify for? A local agent can help you identify assistance options based on your income, occupation, and target purchase area. Talk to a real estate agent near West Palm Beach who knows these programs. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group or call (561) 556-9853.

4. West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyer Program (Up to $100,000)

Best for: Buyers purchasing within West Palm Beach city limits

This city-level program offers up to $100,000 in assistance for income-eligible first-time buyers. The catch: the home must be located within West Palm Beach city limits.

Why this matters: If you're already looking in West Palm Beach, this program can be combined with county or state options for even more help.

Contact: West Palm Beach Housing and Community Development Division

5. Delray Beach First-Time Homebuyer Program (Up to $75,000)

Best for: Buyers purchasing within Delray Beach city limits

Delray Beach runs its own program offering up to $75,000 for buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years. Like West Palm Beach, the home must be within city limits to qualify.

Tip: "First-time buyer" often means you haven't owned in three years, not that you've never owned at all. Check the specific program requirements.

Can you combine these programs?

Yes, in many cases. Stacking programs is a real strategy.

For example, a teacher buying in West Palm Beach could potentially combine Hometown Heroes (up to $35,000 plus lower rates) with the city's first-time buyer program (up to $100,000). A buyer in unincorporated Palm Beach County might stack the new matching grant with SHIP assistance.

The exact combinations depend on your income, occupation, and where you're buying. Not all programs can be combined, and each has its own eligibility rules. But the point is: don't assume you can only use one.

What about Broward County?

If you're open to Broward County, similar programs exist there, too. The Broward County Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program offers a deferred second mortgage at 0% interest with a 15-year term. Worth exploring if your search area includes both counties.

One more to watch: HB 311

At the state level, HB 311 is currently moving through the Florida House budget. If passed, it would give corporate tax credits to employers who provide up to $5,000 toward an employee's first home purchase.

This could create a new path to homeownership for workers at companies that choose to participate. It's not available yet, but it's worth watching if you work for a larger employer in South Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum home buyer assistance available in Palm Beach County?

Up to $100,000 through the SHIP Purchase Assistance Program or the West Palm Beach First-Time Homebuyer Program. The Delray Beach program offers up to $75,000. The new county matching grant offers up to $50,000.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer to qualify?

Not always. Some programs define "first-time buyer" as someone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years. The county matching grant requires that you don't currently own a home, but it doesn't require first-time buyer status.

Can I combine multiple assistance programs?

In many cases, yes. Depending on your income, occupation, and purchase location, you may be able to stack county, state, and city programs. Check eligibility requirements for each.

What does "deferred loan" mean?

A deferred loan means you don't make monthly payments on it. The loan becomes due when you sell the home, refinance, or stop using it as your primary residence. This is how the SHIP program is structured.

Who qualifies for Florida Hometown Heroes?

Teachers, firefighters, healthcare workers, law enforcement, military members, childcare workers, and many other essential occupations qualify. The full list is available on the Florida Housing website.

Local help for first-time buyers in Palm Beach County

If you are buying in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, or anywhere in Palm Beach County, understanding which assistance programs apply to your situation matters. Part of what we do as Realtors® is help buyers identify and access programs like these. Reach out to The Mastropieri Group, Realtors®.

For hands-on support, call (561) 556-9853.