Pasco County Down Payment Assistance: the practical guide
Pasco County runs one of the most generous down payment assistance programs in Tampa Bay: up to $50,000 toward your down payment and closing costs, structured as a zero interest loan with no monthly payments that is fully forgiven after 30 years. I've helped buyers use this program, and this guide covers what actually matters when you're deciding whether it fits.
What the program offers
- Up to $50,000 for down payment and/or closing costs
- 0% interest, recorded as a second mortgage
- No monthly payments, deferred for 30 years, then 100% forgiven
- Works with Conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, and other eligible first mortgages
Who is eligible
You must be a first time homebuyer, which here means you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, and you must be purchasing a primary residence in Pasco County. Household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income for Tampa Bay. As of this writing the limits are:
| Household size | Maximum income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $64,250 |
| 2 | $73,400 |
| 3 | $82,600 |
| 4 | $91,750 |
| 5 | $99,100 |
| 6 | $106,450 |
Property rules
Single family homes, condos, and townhomes in Pasco County are eligible, with a maximum purchase price of $330,000. Mobile and manufactured homes are not eligible, and neither are properties in special flood or repetitive loss areas or homes with a sinkhole or ground settlement history. That last one matters in Pasco, so we check it early, before you fall in love with a house.
What you contribute
The program requires a minimum buyer contribution of $1,250. Between that and the assistance, many of my Pasco buyers bring less cash to closing than they'd pay for a rental deposit and first month's rent.
Reality check: program funds are limited and terms change. The figures on this page reflect the program as of late 2026. The only way to know what's available for you today is to check, which takes me about a day.
How the process works with me
You apply for your first mortgage with me the normal way. Once your numbers fit the program, I coordinate the assistance application alongside your loan, keep your realtor in the loop on timelines, and structure your offer so the program's extra processing time never blindsides anyone. From your side it feels like one process, not two.
Next step
Tell me your household size, rough income, and where in Pasco you're looking. I'll tell you honestly whether this program is realistic for you, and if it isn't, what the next best option looks like.