The city of Deerfield Beach, in Broward County, Florida, offers assistance of up to $85,000 for individuals seeking to purchase their first home and need to cover part of the down payment and closing costs. The municipal program, aimed at households that meet certain economic requirements, has its application portal open.
The call for the fiscal year 2026-2027 began on October 3, 2026 and is subject to the availability of funds. This is not a new law or automatic aid: the city reviews each application and allocates resources on a first-come, first-served basis among those who meet the requirements.
What does the assistance of up to $85,000 consist of?
The Deerfield Beach Home Purchase Assistance Program (Purchase Assistance Program) helps eligible buyers cover the down payment and closing costs of a property located within the city limits.
The financing is provided in the form of a second mortgage loan with a 0% interest rate and deferred payments. According to the municipality, this loan may be converted into a grant if all program conditions are met. Therefore, it should not be interpreted as money that can be received without obligations or as a guaranteed amount of $85,000 for any applicant.
The program utilizes resources from federal and state housing initiatives, including CDBG, HOME, and SHIP. The maximum amount announced is $85,000 per applicant, but the final approved amount depends on the municipal assessment and the available funds.
What are the requirements to apply for it?
According to official information from the Division of Housing and Grants, applicants must meet the following main conditions:
- First-time homebuyers: for this purpose, it includes those who have not been owners or had any interest in a home during the three years prior to the application.
- Buying within Deerfield Beach: the property must be located in the municipality and used as a primary residence.
- Meet the household income limit: the city indicates that, due to the current availability of funds, it only accepts applications from individuals whose households do not exceed 80% of the area median income (Area Median Income or AMI).
- Having a mortgage pre-approval: you must present a letter from a lender when applying for assistance.
- Having a signed purchase agreement: the city requires an executed contract when submitting the application, not just the intention to buy a house in the future.
Independent single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and villas are permitted. The municipality allows the buyer to choose their preferred licensed real estate professional and recommends seeking competent legal advice.
How much can a family earn to qualify in 2026?
The income limit depends on the number of members in the household. According to the 2026 municipal income table, effective from June 1 and subject to updates from HUD, the maximums corresponding to 80% of AMI are:
- A person: 71,000 dollars per year.
- Two people: 81,150 dollars per year.
- Three people: 91,300 dollars per year.
- Four people: 101,400 dollars annually.
- Five people: 109,550 dollars annually.
- Six people: 117,650 dollars annually.
- Seven people: 125,750 dollars per year.
- Eight people: 133,850 dollars annually.
These figures represent maximum household income limits, not aid amounts. Although the program overview also mentions moderate incomes, the operational warning from the city hall currently restricts the acceptance of applications to households at 80% of the AMI or below.
How to submit the application online
The municipal notice 2026-085, published on September 4, established the start of the process for October 3, 2026, and specified that it would remain available until the funds were exhausted. The housing page of Deerfield Beach continues to display the message that the portal is open.
To get started, the interested party must visit the official Housing and Grants page and click on the “Apply Now” link, which takes them to the Deerfield Beach Neighborly platform. Access involves an identification system; the public information consulted does not allow for verification of the internal steps of the form or the remaining available funding balance.
Before submitting the file, it is advisable to verify that you have the pre-approval for the loan, the signed purchase agreement, and the documentation requested by the platform. The announcement warns that applications must be complete and that priority will be given to those who arrive first and are eligible, not merely to those who open an account.
Is the money refunded? Can Cubans request it?
The assistance is not an unconditional grant from day one. The city outlines a deferred loan at 0% that can be converted into a grant upon meeting the applicable requirements. Before accepting the funding, the buyer must request in writing the occupancy period in the home, the conditions for forgiveness, and the circumstances that could require repayment, especially if they sell, rent, move, or refinance.
The call is directed at buyers who meet the program criteria, not specifically at a particular nationality. Being Cuban or living in South Florida does not guarantee eligibility. The reviewed public information does not specify all the required immigration documents, so those who have doubts about their status should confirm it directly with the municipality before submitting their application.
Where to request information and what other assistance is available in Broward
The Housing and Grants Division of Deerfield Beach provides the phone number 954-250-4253 and the email Housing@Deerfield-Beach.com for inquiries regarding assistance and the application process. Since the program depends on limited funds, it is advisable to confirm its availability and the current conditions before committing to a purchase.
The Deerfield Beach program is different from the assistance of up to $85,000 offered by Tamarac and the aid of up to $100,000 announced in Hallandale Beach. Although all three cities belong to Broward, each initiative has its own rules, geographic limits, and procedures.
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