First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program for County Employees

Through the Miami-Dade County Employee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program, employees may use their accrued annual leave time to pay closing costs or make a down payment associated with purchasing a home. Employees would be allowed to request one-time revocable cash out of the value of annual leave not to exceed $25,000 gross pay.

The leave payout will be subject to applicable federal taxes, and the value of the payout will be included as Florida Retirement System wages. Additionally, employees may be subject to an audit to ensure the funds were utilized for the intended purpose.

This program is applicable to all Miami-Dade County employees who have been employed by the County for at least three years.

First-Time Homebuyer Program Procedure

The application form and relevant documentation must be submitted to the DPR or designee who will review and approve. The approved package will then be forwarded by the DPR to the Human Resources Department (HR), Personnel Time and Attendance Division for processing.

In the event that the employee does not successfully close, the cash out of annual leave for this Program will be revocable. To initiate restoration of annual leave, the employee must submit a request in writing to the DPR, within two pay periods of the planned closing date, and the request shall be forwarded to HR for processing. A lump sum re-payment will be required in order to restore all the annual leave. Partial restoration of leave will not be permissible.

Alternatively, if the employee does not close on the property and opts to purchase another home, written notice must be provided to the DPR stating as such, and the required documentation must be provided to the DPR for review.

Eligibility
- Employees must be employed by the County for at least three years
- Only annual leave can be cashed out and at least 80 hours must remain in the employee’s annual leave bank
- Employees may only participate once in either or both programs
Required Documentation
- Application form
- Purchase contract and
- Either 1) Loan Estimate 2) Closing Disclosure
- Any other relevant documentation to determine eligibility
A first-time homebuyer is an employee who meets any of the following criteria:
- Has had no ownership in a principal residence during the three-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property;
- Is a single parent who has owned with a former spouse while married;
- Has owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations;
- Has owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or model building codes and which cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.
- Funds must be used expressly for the purpose intended and proof must be provided to the Department Personnel Representative for validation and approval and then forwarded to HR for final processing
- This benefit is available to all Miami-Dade employees who have been employed by the County at least three years
- The leave payout will be subject to applicable federal taxes and the value of the payout will be included as Florida Retirement System wages