Homeownership Assistance Program

Learn how to start the process of buying a home and applying for down payment assistance.

Did you know that you can get up to $7,250 in down payment assistance from MDEAT and up to $95,000 from other down payment assistance programs in Miami-Dade County and/or from municipalities across the county? All of this helps to reduce your mortgage balance and payments.

Since 1995, HAP has provided down payment assistance funds to more than 7,500 families for a total of more than $42 million.

The HAP program works in partnership with mortgage professionals, financial institutions, housing counseling and community-based agencies and can be combined with other Miami-Dade County, local cities and some state assistance programs.

How does HAP work?
HAP utilizes Documentary Surtax dollars to provide down payment and/or closing costs assistance via a 0 percent interest, non-amortized (no payment), mortgage loan. The HAP loan may be forgiven after 10 years of owner occupancy without doing a cash-out refinance.

Can I work with any lender or closing agent?
You must work with a HAP-approved approved loan officer and an approved closing agent in order to be able to apply for HAP funds. Otherwise, your HAP application will be rejected without funding.

Does my realtor have to be HAP approved in order to apply for HAP funds?
HAP does NOT require that your realtor also be HAP approved or certified. However, it is highly recommended that you select a realtor that expresses familiarity, experience, and comfort in working with down payment assistance programs.

What’s the first step to getting started?
If you’re ready to start the home buying process and apply for HAP funds, the first step is to attend an approved HAP Homebuyer Education Course. The course helps prepare you for the home buying process and the financial responsibility. There are several locations to choose from. It is also helpful to know your FICO or Experian credit score in addition to being pre-qualified or pre-approved by a HAP-approved Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO). Housing Counseling Agencies (HCAs) can help by pulling your credit (for a minimal cost associated with the report).

Do I have to be low income to use HAP funds?
HAP funds are not just for lower income buyers. You can be moderate to middle income and still be eligible. Eligibility is based on having an annual household income that doesn’t exceed 140 percent of county median income based on your family size. Income limits are available on this chart.

What is the benefit of using HAP funds?
HAP funds can be used to reduce down-payment and/or closing costs, making it easier for prospective homeowners to quality for a mortgage.

Can I use other down payment assistance programs in addition to using HAP?
Yes, HAP funds may be combined with other County, state, local municipality and occasionally, federal assistance programs in certain instances. However, it can significantly extend approval timelines when combining down payment assistance programs. I’ve owned a home before.

Can I still participate?
Yes, you may still be able to participate if you have not owned a home in the previous three years and can provided needed evidence.

Can I use this to buy any type of property?
HAP funds can be used to buy any new or existing single family, townhouse, or condo property in Miami- Dade County. Investment properties and two to four-units are not eligible. It must be an owner occupied property that you intend to live in. Foreclosed REOs and short sales are considered on a case by case basis.

What’s the maximum purchase price with HAP funds?
HAP has no stated maximum purchase price. However, the maximum (base) mortgage amount is currently $271,050 and other allowances or restrictions may apply. Please first consult with your HAP loan officer.

Does HAP provide rental or foreclosure assistance? No, HAP does NOT have or provide rental or foreclosure assistance at this time.

MDEAT wants to connect with more loan officers so that you can offer our programs to buyers.

HAP has implemented new participation and certification process for Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) and their corresponding lenders as well as fo rclosing agents (title companies and attorneys). Participation is now approved via a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process.

Borrowers must go through a HAP certified mortgage lender, loan officer, and closing agent in order to have funds requested on their behalf. Otherwise, the HAP application will be rejected without funding.

Qualifying for HAP participation
To become a HAP Participant and thereby listed on the HAP Approved MLO/Lender List or HAP Approved Closing Agent List, the MLO and closing agent MUST be both HAP certified and approved.

HAP Participation for MLOs is done on an individual basis (i.e HAP does not offer lender companywide certifications). In other words, even if the mortgage lender or closing company is HAP approved as an entity, the individual MLO and a closing agent or staff person must themselves be approved if they wish for their clients to apply or close with HAP funds.

Stay tuned for updates about HAP participant RFQ.

Learn about becoming a HAP-approved Housing Counseling Agency.

HAP borrowers must use a designated Housing Counseling Agency (HCA) from the HAP Approved Home Counseling Agencies (HCAs)/1st Time Home Buyers Education Providers.

HAP participating HCAs MUST incorporate the HAP Homebuyer Education Course Curriculum. The curriculum includes information and criteria for workshops held online, via teleconference, virtual or webcast.

MDEAT HAP does NOT provide the required first-time homebuyer education workshops or seminars, however may periodically or on occasion participate as a presenter.

In addition to submitting a course certificate for HAP funds, the HAP borrower MUST sign a HAP Homebuyer Education Course Completion Form to acknowledge that the HAP borrower received information about HAP during the workout.

All HAP participating HCAs must be HUD approved and maintain HUD approval status at all times.

MDEAT HAP does not dictate nor oversee the manner or procedure that HCAs use to conduct their HB education. Their governing entity, United States Housing and Urban Development DOES and has guidelines, provisions and directives that the HCAs must follow. MDEAT HAP will investigate claims or complaints as to unfair or biased conduct or treatment by an HCA and may take action as deemed appropriate or necessary. This includes but is not limited to the withholding of certificate release or requiring that an attendee or home buyer education workshop participant use ANY certain or particular lender, loan originator, realtor or closing agent.