Florida Homeowner Assistance Programs
If you are a Florida homeowner facing financial difficulty, several state and federal programs may be able to help. This page provides a current overview of the major assistance programs available.
Quick Answer
Florida homeowners have access to a range of assistance programs at the state, federal, and county levels. These include mortgage assistance funds, free housing counseling, disaster relief, and loan-specific loss mitigation options. Eligibility and funding availability change over time. This guide covers the major programs, but you should verify current status directly with each program or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
Important Note About Program Status
Government assistance programs change frequently. Funding may be exhausted, eligibility requirements may shift, and programs may be replaced by new initiatives. The information on this page reflects the best available data as of September 2026 but should be independently verified with the program provider or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
State Programs
Florida HAF (Homeowner Assistance Fund)
What it is: The Florida Homeowner Assistance Fund (FL HAF) is a federally funded program administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to help homeowners who fell behind on mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, HOA fees, and utilities due to financial hardship. The program distributes funds directly to mortgage servicers and other approved entities on behalf of qualified homeowners.
Eligibility: The program serves homeowners who experienced a qualified financial hardship, own a primary residence in Florida, and have income at or below 150% of area median income. Priority registration tiers are based on income, with homeowners at or below 100% of area median income served first. Benefits are capped at $50,000 per household.
Current status: As of September 2026, the program is still accepting new registrations. DEO reported in May 2026 that the program had awarded more than $463 million to more than 22,000 Florida homeowners. Important: the federal HAF deadline is September 30, 2026, or earlier if the state's roughly $676 million federal allocation is exhausted. Homeowners who may qualify should register as soon as possible.
How to apply: Registration must be completed first at FLHomeownerAssistance.org. After registering, you typically receive an eligibility email within seven business days, followed by an invitation to apply. You can also call the FL HAF call center at (833) 987-8997 or email HomeownerAssistanceFund@DEO.MyFlorida.com with questions.
HUD-Approved Housing Counseling
What it is: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds a network of approved housing counseling agencies throughout Florida. These agencies provide free or low-cost counseling on foreclosure prevention, mortgage options, budgeting, and credit.
Eligibility: Open to any homeowner or renter who needs housing counseling. There is no income requirement.
How to apply: Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in your area by calling HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287 or searching the HUD housing counselor search tool.
Federal Programs
CFPB Resources
What it is: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides free educational resources, tools, and guides for homeowners facing mortgage problems. Their resources include a foreclosure prevention guide, a loan modification checklist, and a complaint system for mortgage servicing issues.
Eligibility: Open to all homeowners. No application is needed for educational materials.
How to access: Visit consumerfinance.gov/mortgage for guides and tools. To submit a complaint about a mortgage servicer, use the CFPB Complaint Portal.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
What it is: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial assistance to homeowners affected by federally declared natural disasters. This can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and other disaster-related needs.
Eligibility: You must live in a county that received a federal disaster declaration for a specific event. Assistance is not for general financial hardship unrelated to a disaster.
How to apply: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. You will need your Social Security number, insurance information, and details about the disaster damage.
VA Loan Assistance (For Veterans)
What it is: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several options for veterans who have VA-backed loans and are struggling to make payments. These include a VA loan modification program, a repayment plan, and a supplemental servicing option. The VA also provides direct financial counseling to veterans facing foreclosure.
Eligibility: Veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses with VA-backed or VA-direct loans.
How to apply: Contact the VA Regional Loan Center at 1-877-827-3702 or visit the VA Home Loans website.
FHA Loss Mitigation Options
What it is: If your mortgage is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), your servicer must follow FHA's loss mitigation guidelines. Standard options include a partial claim (an interest-free loan to bring your mortgage current), a loan modification, a forbearance plan, or a pre-foreclosure sale (short sale). FHA's temporary COVID-19 recovery loss mitigation options ended in 2025, so homeowners are now evaluated under FHA's standard options.
Eligibility: You must have an FHA-insured mortgage, be at least one payment behind or facing imminent default, and demonstrate a qualifying hardship.
How to apply: Contact your mortgage servicer and ask about FHA loss mitigation options. You can also contact a HUD-approved housing counselor for guidance.
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Programs
What it is: If your mortgage is owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (which covers most conventional loans), you may be eligible for their standard loss mitigation options. These include the Flex Modification program, forbearance, repayment plans, payment deferral, and deed in lieu of foreclosure. The temporary COVID-19 recovery options offered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ended in 2023, so borrowers with a documented hardship are now evaluated under the standard options.
Eligibility: Your loan must be owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Check using their online lookup tools. You must be able to demonstrate hardship.
How to apply: Contact your mortgage servicer and ask about Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae loss mitigation options. You can check if your loan is owned by Fannie Mae at knowyouroptions.com or Freddie Mac at myhome.freddiemac.com.
Local County Assistance Programs
Each county in Central Florida offers different local resources, including rental assistance, emergency financial help, and referral services. The following is a general overview for the seven counties this site serves.
Orange County
Orange County Neighborhood Services for Community Housing and the Orange County Housing and Community Development Division offer various housing assistance programs.
Seminole County
Seminole County Community Services Department provides limited financial assistance programs for eligible residents through its Community Services Block Grant and other funding sources.
Osceola County
Osceola County Community Development and the Osceola County Housing and Community Development Department offer various assistance programs for low-income households.
Lake County
Lake County Community Services provides limited financial assistance programs and can refer residents to partner agencies for additional help.
Volusia County
Volusia County Community Assistance Division provides emergency financial assistance for eligible residents, including help with rent, utilities, and other needs.
Polk County
Polk County Human Services offers various assistance programs for eligible low-income residents, including emergency financial help and referral services.
Brevard County
Brevard County Housing and Human Services department offers various assistance programs for eligible residents, including the SHIP program and emergency assistance.
How to Choose Which Program to Pursue
With multiple programs available, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here is a simple framework:
- Start with a HUD-approved housing counselor. They can help you assess your situation and identify which programs you may qualify for. This service is free.
- Identify your loan type. Knowing whether you have an FHA, VA, conventional (Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae), or other loan type tells you which loss mitigation options apply.
- Contact your mortgage servicer. Your servicer's loss mitigation department is required to consider you for options. Be prepared with financial documentation.
- Check county resources. Your local county may have additional assistance programs that are not widely advertised.
Need Help Identifying Which Programs Apply to You?
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Schedule Your Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
Are these programs free?
Most government assistance programs are free to apply for. Be wary of any company that charges upfront fees to help you apply for government assistance. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free or low-cost services.
Can I apply for more than one program?
In many cases, yes. Different programs serve different purposes. For example, you may qualify for a loan modification from your servicer and also benefit from free credit counseling through a HUD-approved agency.
What if I have already been served with a foreclosure lawsuit?
You may still qualify for assistance programs. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor immediately and inform your mortgage servicer that you want to be considered for loss mitigation options.
How long does it take to get approved for assistance?
Timelines vary significantly by program. HUD counseling can be scheduled within days. Loan modifications may take 30 to 90 days. Government grant programs may have longer processing times depending on funding and application volume.