Dare to Own the Dream (City of Tampa, FL)

City of Tampa Housing and Community Development · City of Tampa, Florida

Forgivable loan Offered

At a glance: Up to $50,000, based on income, forgivable loan (forgiven if you meet the terms). First-time buyer: Required. Checked against the official page on Nov 3, 2026.

Program details
Assistance type	Forgivable loan — Forgiven if you meet the terms
Amount	Up to $50,000, based on income
Income limit	50.01%-140% of AMI (below 50% is not eligible)
Purchase price limit	$450,000
First-time buyer rule	Required
Status	Offered
Status note	Not verified on the official page — check the source
Details	0% deferred loan: $50,000 at 50.01%-80% AMI, $40,000 at 80.01%-120% and $30,000 at 120.01%-140%. Buyer invests at least $2,000, with $1,000 from their own funds. Start with one of the City's approved agencies and use a lender on its approved list.
Official source	https://www.tampa.gov/housing-and-community-development/programs/mortgage-assistance (opens in new tab)
Last checked	Nov 3, 2026 (automated fetch)

Go to the official program page ↗ Report a correction

Other Florida programs

Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance — Up to $75,000
Housing Down Payment Assistance Program — 20% of the sales price plus $5,000 for closing costs, up to $75,000
Hillsborough First DPA — Up to $15,000
Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program — Up to $35,000
Down Payment Assistance Program — Up to $70,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low income) or $10,000 (moderate income)
Headstart to Homeownership (H2H) — Up to $25,000
Florida Assist (FL Assist) — Up to $10,000
Florida Homeownership Loan Program (FL HLP) Second Mortgage — $12,500
Florida Hometown Heroes — 5% of the first mortgage, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000

← All Florida programs · Check eligibility · Compare with other programs

Common questions

How much is Dare to Own the Dream?

Up to $50,000, based on income (per the official page, checked Nov 3, 2026).

Is Dare to Own the Dream a grant or a loan?

Forgivable loan: forgiven if you meet the terms.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer for Dare to Own the Dream?

Required.

What is the income limit for Dare to Own the Dream?

50.01%-140% of AMI (below 50% is not eligible).

How does Dare to Own the Dream work?

0% deferred loan: $50,000 at 50.01%-80% AMI, $40,000 at 80.01%-120% and $30,000 at 120.01%-140%. Buyer invests at least $2,000, with $1,000 from their own funds. Start with one of the City's approved agencies and use a lender on its approved list.

Is Dare to Own the Dream still available in 2026?

The official page listed it as offered when we last checked on Nov 3, 2026. Funding can change, so confirm with the administrator.

Who runs Dare to Own the Dream?

City of Tampa Housing and Community Development, City of Tampa, Florida. Apply through the program or one of its participating lenders.