MDEAT Housing Division

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

Did you know that you can receive up to $28,000 in down payment assistance from MDEAT and up to $120,000 from other programs across Miami-Dade County and local municipalities? These funds can help reduce your mortgage balance and monthly payments.

Since 1995, the Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) has helped more than 7,900 families purchase homes, providing over $45 million in down payment assistance.

HAP partners with mortgage professionals, financial institutions, housing counselors, and community organizations to create opportunities for prospective homebuyers. The HAP funds can be combined with other Miami-Dade County, state, and local programs designated for affordable housing.

How does HAP work?

HAP utilizes Documentary Stamps Surtax dollars from the County to provide down payment or closing cost assistance via a zero percent interest, non-amortized loan. The loan may be forgiven without a refinance or any change in title or ownership.

Can I work with any lender or closing agent?

Borrowers can choose any licensed lender in Florida, though lenders familiar with Down Payment Assistance Programs (DAP) are recommended. To receive HAP funds, the closing agent must be a Miami-Dade County Finance Department-approved vendor.

Does my realtor have to be HAP-approved?

No, your realtor does not need to be HAP-approved. However, we recommend choosing a realtor experienced with down payment assistance programs.

What’s the first step to getting started?

To apply for HAP funds, the first step is to attend a Homebuyer Education Course by a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. The course will prepare you for the home-buying process and financial responsibility of homeownership. It’s also helpful to know your credit score and be pre-qualified by a licensed mortgage lender.

Do I have to be low income to use HAP funds?

HAP is available for moderate to middle-income households, with eligibility based on an annual household income that does not exceed 140% of the area median income (AMI) for Miami-Dade County. Income limits vary by family size.

What is the benefit of using HAP funds?

HAP funds can reduce your down payment or closing costs, making it easier for you to qualify for a mortgage.

Can I use other down payment assistance programs in addition to HAP?

Yes! HAP funds may be combined with other assistance programs at the county, state, or federal level, as well as certain approved programs. However, combining programs may extend approval timelines.

I’ve owned a home before. Can I still participate?

Yes! You can still use HAP funds if you are buying a primary residence in Miami-Dade County, have first mortgage lender approval, and meet the income requirements.

Can I use HAP funds to buy any property?

HAP funds can be used to purchase new or existing single-family homes, townhouses, or condos in Miami-Dade County, as long as the property will be your primary residence. Investment properties and multi-family units are not eligible. Foreclosed REOs and short sales are considered on a case-by-case basis.

What’s the maximum purchase price with HAP funds?

There is no maximum purchase price limit for MDEAT-HAP, but purchases are subject to loan qualifications determined by the lender. Some lenders or other DAP programs may have their own purchase price or mortgage limitations.

Does HAP provide rental or foreclosure assistance?

No, HAP does not offer rental or foreclosure assistance. However, other County resources are available to assist with rental or foreclosure needs.

The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), which is an agency and instrumentality of Miami- Dade County, is soliciting applications under a Request for Application (RFA) process to fund activities with Documentary Stamp Surtax (Surtax) funds. This Surtax Construction Development Loan Program is seeking proposals to address high unmet needs in affordable housing.

This RFA will target single family and multi unit homeownership projects that may include acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction with or without acquisition of County-owned property. Both for-profit and non-profit developers are encouraged to participate. MDEAT encourages development teams competing for Documentary Stamp Surtax funding to be diversified and aspire to be consistent with and reflect the diversity of the Miami-Dade County community pursuant to policies outlined in Resolution No. R-1080-14.

• Download Application

MDEAT’s Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RAP) offers up to $50,000 forgivable loans for low-to-moderate income homeowners to make repairs. This loan carries no interest and requires no payments for the life of the loan. The loan becomes forgivable after 15 years if the property remains owner-occupied, the borrower does not refinance, or transfer ownership.

• Rehabilitation Assistance Program Postcard
• Download Rehabilitation Assistance Program Application
• Rehabilitation Program Checklist

Low-to-moderate income borrowers may have any licensed mortgage lender in the State of Florida submit a HAP application on their behalf. Borrowers must go through a Miami-Dade County Finance Department-approved vendor to secure a HAP commitment issued and funds released. 

For closing agents (title companies and attorneys), approval by Miami-Dade County Finance Department (MDC-Finance) as a registered supplier (vendor) is required before eligibility is designated to a closing agent for use of any borrower receiving a HAP loan, be it for downpayment and/or closing costs assistance. 

Closing agents should maintain at least one or more persons on staff that are knowledgeable of and/ or experienced with closing HAP and other DPA funded loans.

Closing agents must have a sunbiz.org listing as an entity with an active and updated record including valid tax ID number. 

Closing agents must stay current and approved with MDC-Finance with regards to updates or changes in address, banking affiliation, name changes and/ or other affiliated changes in their sunbiz record. 

Closing agents must complete and submit an original “wet” signed Miami-Dade County approved ACH direct deposit form as a permanent means to receive HAP funds. The only other currently available option is to receive HAP funds via physical check disbursement by (Miami-Dade County) Finance (i.e., wire transfer are not currently available)

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 homebuyer education workshops or seminars.

In addition to submitting a course certificate for HAP funds, the HAP borrower will 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.

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