The Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) Program helps eligible buyers in Duval County cover down payment and closing costs—making homeownership more affordable and within reach.
Verify Your H2H Program Eligibility
Income-Based Eligibility
Zero-Interest Loan
No Monthly Payments
The H2H Program is a local homebuyer assistance initiative in Duval County that offers up to $50,000 to help cover down payment and closing costs.
Designed for first-time buyers, it provides a zero-interest second or third mortgage with no monthly payments.
To qualify, applicants must meet income limits and plan to live in the home as their primary residence.
The H2H Program is built for:
First-time buyers who don’t currently own a home.
Households earning up to 80% of the area median income.
Individuals and families ready to live in the home as their primary residence.
Buyers looking to purchase in Jacksonville or greater Duval County.
Those needing financial help with down payment or closing costs.
Use funds toward your down payment, closing costs, or to reduce your mortgage loan balance.
Assistance comes as a second or third mortgage with 0% interest, forgiven gradually over 15 years.
Buy a qualifying home anywhere in the Jacksonville area, including townhomes and condos.
You don’t need perfect credit—just meet the income limits and plan to live in the home.
To qualify for the Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) Program, applicants must meet these key criteria:
Your total household income must not exceed 80% of the area median income (e.g., $68,447 for a family of 4).
You must not currently own a home and plan to live in the new home as your primary residence.
You need to contribute at least $500 toward the down payment and pay a $375 inspection fee.
The home must be in Duval County, meet Housing Quality Standards, and cost no more than $280,000. Mobile or manufactured homes are not eligible.
Complete an approved homebuyer education course before closing.
Assistance provided through the H2H Program is structured as a second or third mortgage with a zero percent (0%) interest rate and no monthly payments.
The loan is forgivable over a fifteen (15) year period, with the principal balance reduced annually.
If the property is sold, transferred, or ceases to be the borrower’s primary residence before the end of the loan term, the remaining balance becomes immediately due and payable.
Repayment is limited to the net proceeds available after satisfying the first mortgage and associated closing costs.
The first step is simple: check your eligibility online today. If you meet the income and location requirements, the next steps are:
Get pre-qualified so you know your budget.
Complete an approved 8-hour homebuyer education course.
Start your home search within Duval County.
Ensure the home meets all program and inspection requirements.
Move forward with closing and claim up to $50,000 in assistance.
We’ll guide you through each step to help you unlock the full benefit of the H2H program.
Get quick answers to the most common questions about Jacksonville’s H2H Program—eligibility, funding, property rules, and more.
You may receive up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, depending on your income and household size.
Eligible applicants must not currently own a home, must plan to live in the home as their primary residence, and must meet income limits based on household size—typically at or below 80% of Duval County’s area median income.
Eligible properties include single-family homes, townhomes, patio homes, and condos located in Duval County. Mobile and manufactured homes are not eligible, and the purchase price must not exceed $280,000.
The assistance is structured as a second or third mortgage with 0% interest and no monthly payments. The balance is forgiven over 15 years, as long as the home remains your primary residence.
Income limits vary by household size. For example, the maximum gross income for a family of four is $66,900. These limits are set annually by HUD.
Yes. Applicants must contribute at least $500 toward the down payment and pay a $375 inspection fee.
Homes must be structurally sound and meet HUD’s Section 8 Housing Quality Standards. This includes requirements for safe electrical systems, proper ventilation, functional plumbing, heating, and freedom from environmental hazards.
The program materials do not specify this, but combining assistance programs typically depends on funding sources and lender guidelines. It’s best to consult with your lender for case-by-case eligibility.
Yes. A certified 8-hour homeownership education course is required and must be completed through an approved agency such as Jacksonville Urban League, Wealth Watchers, or GreenPath Financial Wellness.
If you move or sell before the 15-year term ends, the remaining balance of the H2H loan becomes due. However, repayment is limited to any net proceeds left after paying off the first mortgage and closing costs.
With years of experience helping first-time buyers navigate Florida’s housing programs, we specialize in making the path to homeownership simple, clear, and accessible.
Our team understands the ins and outs of the H2H Program and will walk you through every step—from checking eligibility to closing on your new home.
As a trusted lender with deep roots in the Jacksonville community, we’re committed to transparency, speed, and personalized support so you can secure up to $50,000 in assistance with total confidence.
