First Time Homebuyers

A first-time homebuyer is typically defined as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. 

It's important to note that income limits can vary depending on the specific program and can change over time. It's recommended to check with the specific program for the most up-to-date information regarding income limits. 

The income limits for first-time homebuyer programs in Miami Beach can vary depending on the specific program and the number of people in the household.

> View general income limits based on the area median income (AMI) for Miami-Dade County

Prospective homeowners may receive between $40,000 to $150,000 in down payment assistance dependent on their household income and as delineated in the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) contingent upon the availability of funds.  Prospective homeowners must reside in the home for which assistance is being sought. As a reminder, prospective homeowners must provide a minimum of two (2) percent of the target property’s value of their own funds as down payment. Funds are provided to eligible residents as a deferred forgivable loan that is secured by a lien and restrictive covenant on the property. If the homeowner continues to reside in his/her home for 15 years, the full amount is forgiven. If the homeowner sells, rents, or refinances his/her property or the property is no longer the primary residence prior to the 15-year affordability period, he/she must repay the City the value of the assistance plus applicable profit sharing as noted in the Restrictive Covenant and Mortgage executed at the time of program award and property acquisition. Please further note that SHIP guidelines require that a portion of awarded funds be utilized for construction-related expenses. Program funds are contingent upon availability and will be released in accordance with the income eligibility distributions required for each funding source. 

Yes, prospective homeowners must contribute a minimum of two (2) percent of the value of the purchased property as down payment at the time of closing. Assisted properties cannot be used as rental properties. 

No, funds do not have to be repaid as long as it maintained as the applicant’s homesteaded residence for the 15-year affordability period. However, you must ensure that your property continues to comply with all Code Compliance and Building Department rules during the affordability period. If, however, a homeowner sells, rents, or refinances his/her property or the property is no longer the primary residence prior to the 15-year affordability period, he/she must repay the City the value of the assistance plus applicable profit sharing as defined in the City’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). Yes, prospective homeowners must contribute a minimum of two (2) percent of the value of the purchased property as down payment at the time of closing. Assisted properties cannot be used as rental properties. 

To determine eligibility, homebuyers should research the specific programs available in their area and review the program guidelines. They may also need to provide documentation, such as income verification and credit scores, to determine eligibility. 

The type of home that can be purchased may vary depending on the program. Some programs may have specific requirements for the type of home that can be purchased, such as being located in a certain area or meeting certain size requirements. It is recommended to check with the specific program for more information. 

A homebuyer education course is typically required by first-time homebuyer programs and provides guidance on the home buying process, including understanding credit, budgeting, and the steps involved in purchasing a home. 

Homebuyers may be able to apply for multiple first-time homebuyer programs. However, they should be aware of the specific requirements and guidelines for each program and determine if they meet the eligibility requirements for each program. 

If you have any questions, please contact the City’s Office of Community Services at 305-673-7491 or by emailing your question to the HOME/SHIP Program Coordinator at marcelarubio@miamibeachfl.gov. 

Completed applications must be submitted in person to the Office of Housing and Community Services located at 1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida 33139. The Office is open Monday through Friday (excluding legal holidays), 8:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5pm. Faxed or emailed copies will not be considered.

“Affordable” means that monthly rents or monthly mortgage payments including taxes and insurance do not exceed 30 percent of that amount which represents the percentage of the median annual gross income for the households as indicated in subsection (19), subsection (20), or subsection (28). However, it is not the intent to limit an individual household’s ability to devote more than 30 percent of its income for housing, and housing for which a household devotes more than 30 percent of its income shall be deemed affordable if the first institutional mortgage lender is satisfied that the household can afford mortgage payments in excess of the 30 percent benchmark. 

“Eligible housing” means any real and personal property located within the county or the eligible municipality which is designed and intended for the primary purpose of providing decent, safe, and sanitary residential units that are designed to meet the standards of the Florida Building Code or previous building codes adopted under chapter 553, or manufactured housing constructed after June 1994 and installed in accordance with the installation standards for mobile or manufactured homes contained in rules of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, for home ownership or rental for eligible persons as designated by each county or eligible municipality participating in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program. 

“Eligible person” or “eligible household” means one or more natural persons or a family determined by the county or eligible municipality to be of very low income, low income, or moderate income according to the income limits adjusted to family size published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development based upon the annual gross income of the household. 

“Loan” means an award from the local housing assistance trust fund to an eligible sponsor or eligible person to partially finance the acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation of eligible housing with requirement for repayment or provision for forgiveness of repayment if the condition of the award is maintained. 

“Low-income person” or “low-income household” means one or more natural persons or a family that has a total annual gross household income that does not exceed 80 percent of the median annual income adjusted for family size for households within the metropolitan statistical area, the county, or the nonmetropolitan median for the state, whichever amount is greatest. With respect to rental units, the low-income household’s annual income at the time of initial occupancy may not exceed 80 percent of the area’s median income adjusted for family size. While occupying the rental unit, a low-income household’s annual income may increase to an amount not to exceed 140 percent of 80 percent of the area’s median income adjusted for family size. 

“Sales price” or “value” means, in the case of acquisition of an existing or newly constructed unit, the amount on the executed sales contract. For eligible persons who are building a unit on land that they own, the sales price is determined by an appraisal performed by a state-certified appraiser. The appraisal must include the value of the land and the improvements using the after-construction value of the property and must be dated within 12 months of the date construction is to commence. The sales price of any unit must include the value of the land to qualify as eligible housing as defined in subsection (8).  

• In the case of rehabilitation or emergency repair of an existing unit that does not create additional living space, sales price or value means the value of the real property, as determined by an appraisal performed by a state-certified appraiser and dated within 12 months of the date construction is to commence or the assessed value of the real property as determined by the county property appraiser.  
• In the case of rehabilitation of an existing unit that includes the addition of new living space, sales price or value means the value of the real property, as determined by an appraisal performed by a state-certified appraiser and dated within 12 months of the date construction is to commence or the assessed value of the real property as determined by the county property appraiser, plus the cost of the improvements in either case. 

“Very-low-income person” or “very-low-income household” means one or more natural persons or a family that has a total annual gross household income that does not exceed 50 percent of the median annual income adjusted for family size for households within the metropolitan statistical area, the county, or the nonmetropolitan median for the state, whichever is greatest. With respect to rental units, the very-low-income household’s annual income at the time of initial occupancy may not exceed 50 percent of the area’s median income adjusted for family size. While occupying the rental unit, a very low-income household’s annual income may increase to an amount not to exceed 140 percent of 50 percent of the area’s median income adjusted for family size. 

Funds Distribution 

At least 30 percent of the funds deposited into the local housing assistance trust fund must be reserved for awards to very-low-income persons or eligible sponsors who will serve very-low-income persons and at least an additional 30 percent of the funds deposited into the local housing assistance trust fund must be reserved for awards to low-income persons or eligible sponsors who will serve low-income persons. 

Length of Loan Terms 

Loans shall be provided for periods not exceeding 30 years, except for deferred payment loans or loans that extend beyond 30 years which continue to serve eligible persons.  

Maximum Sales Price 

The maximum sales price or value per unit and the maximum award per unit for eligible housing benefiting from awards made pursuant to this section must be established in the local housing assistance plan.  

Reporting to State 

Each county or eligible municipality shall submit to the corporation by September 15 of each year a report of its affordable housing programs and accomplishments through June 30 immediately preceding submittal of the report. The report shall be certified as accurate and complete by the local government’s chief elected official or his or her designee. Transmittal of the annual report by a county’s or eligible municipality’s chief elected official, or his or her designee, certifies that the local housing incentive strategies, or, if applicable, the local housing incentive plan, have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented pursuant to the adopted schedule for implementation. The report must include, but is not limited to: (a) The number of households served by income category, age, family size, and race, and data regarding any special needs populations such as farmworkers, homeless persons, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. Counties shall report this information separately for households served in the unincorporated area and each municipality within the county.