Down Payment Assistance

Did you miss the 2023 First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program Information Session?

View the recording below for more information.

First-Time Homebuyer Purchase Assistance Program

In order to be deemed income-eligible for this program, your total annual gross household income must not exceed the amounts as determined by the income limits in the chart below.

Income Limits Chart - 2023

*Please note Income Limits are subject to change by HUD on an annual basis.

What is the First-Time Homebuyer Program?

The purpose of the Purchase Assistance Program is to assist with the purchase of a home in the City of Tamarac to be used as your primary residence. Funds may be used to assist with down payment and/or closing costs. Each applicant will have their application reviewed for eligibility to ensure that extremely low, very low, low and moderate-income families are served.

Program Process

Interested parties will be able to sign-up for the Purchase Assistance Program online starting Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8 a.m. Following sign-up, applicants are required to have a first mortgage from a lender and be under contract for a property located within the City of Tamarac to be processed. Applications will be accepted and processed on a first-ready, first-served basis. All applicants must also attend a HUD approved 8-Hour First-Time Homebuyers Class and obtain the certificate. Please refer to the link below, Certified HUD Counseling Agencies for the 8-hr Class, for a list of HUD approved agencies. Please review the document checklist below for the full list of required documents.

The maximum purchase assistance that may be awarded is $60,000 for households with income that does not exceed 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), $50,000 for households with income that does not exceed 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and $40,000 for households with income that exceeds 80% AMI but at or below 120% AMI. Award is subject to City Staff review. Depending on the availability of funds, applicants will be funded on a first-ready, first-served basis. As such, applicants under contract must respond to the request for documents within the given timeframe. Failure to respond to the City by the deadline may result in the denial of your application. Once all required documents are received, staff will review and make a final determination of eligibility. This process can take 3-4 weeks. Please consider this timeframe if you are currently under contract. A determination letter (approval or denial) will be sent to you along with any further instructions necessary. Application processing will continue until funds have been exhausted or the end of the program year, whichever comes first. Please note pre-applications are purged each program fiscal year cycle.

Who Qualifies?

Applicant(s) and/or spouse must not currently own a home, or have owned a home (house, condo, townhouse, etc.) within the last three (3) years, or defaulted on a mortgage within the last seven (7) years. Exceptions may be made for single parents that were displaced because of a recent divorce (within the last three years) and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The applicant must secure a first mortgage in the maximum amount for which they can afford with a fixed interest rate and no pre-payment penalty. The maximum purchase price is $382,194. Homebuyer is responsible for contributing A MINIMUM OF 1% of the contract price toward closing. Staff will coordinate with closing agent.

Loan Conditions & Repayment

Assistance is in the form of a 15-year, 0% interest, deferred payment second mortgage. Homebuyers will not be required to make any payments on the loan if they remain in the property for fifteen (15) years.

Important Documents to Review:

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Pre-Application for the 2023 Program Year

Pre-Applications for the 2023 Program Year will be available ONLY

via the website starting on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 8 a.m.

If you were not assisted in the 2022 program year, please re-apply when the 2023 program year period begins.

CAREFULLY read and follow the instructions on the application website, Neighborly.

Note: You will be required to Register or Sign In to start your application)

To apply CLICK HERE

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For More Information contact the Housing Division:

Main Number: 954-597-3549

To be notified for future Open Enrollment dates, the latest housing news and information, please utilize the "Notify Me" feature on the home page and register the topics you would like to receive notices on.

It is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability.

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The City of Tamarac complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a disabled person requiring any accommodations or assistance, please view our ADA Notice for additional information

Documents are available in Spanish upon request.