MDEAT Housing Division

Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust created its Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) to increase the number of home purchases for low-to-moderate-income residents in Miami-Dade County. Since 1995, the program has funded more than 7,900 families. Currently, the zero-interest deferred loan provides funding for low-to-moderate income homebuyers towards down payment and closing costs for their primary residence, making it easier to get approved for a mortgage.

A very low-to-moderate income homebuyer seeking a primary residence in Miami-Dade County.
A voluntary Homebuyer Education Course may be offered to borrowers choosing to maximize subsidy funding with their first lender or other affordable housing programs. (layering).
Pay at least one percent of the sales price or three percent of the sales price from your own funds based on income criteria
Any new or existing home (must be immediately habitable): single-family detached home, townhome or condo. Foreclosure REOs and short sales are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Learn how to start the process of buying a home and applying for down payment assistance.

Did you know that you can get up to $28,500 in down payment assistance from MDEAT and up to $120,000 from other down payment assistance programs in Miami-Dade County and/or from municipalities across the county? All of this helps to reduce your mortgage balance and payments.

Since 1995, HAP has provided down payment assistance funds to more than 7,900 families for a total of more than $45 million.

The HAP program partners with mortgage professionals, financial institutions, housing counseling and community-based agencies to create opportunities for prospective homebuyers. HAP funds can be combined with other Miami-Dade County, local municipalities, state agencies and certain approved programs designated for affordable housing.

How does HAP work?
HAP utilizes Documentary Stamps Surtax dollars received by the County to provide down payment or closing costs assistance via a zero percent interest, non-amortized (no payment), mortgage loan. The HAP loan may be forgiven without a refinance or any change in title or ownership.

Can I work with any lender or closing agent?
Borrowers may choose any licensed lender to provide mortgage financing in the State of Florida. Lenders who are familiar with Down Payment Assistance (DAP) programs from a variety of funding sources are recommended. Approved first mortgage financing must be obtained prior to your lender applying for HAP funds on your behalf. To receive HAP funds, the closing agent must be a Miami-Dade County Finance Department-approved vendor.

Does my realtor have to be HAP approved in order to apply for HAP funds?

HAP does not require that your realtor also be HAP approved or certified. However, it is highly recommended that you select a realtor that expresses familiarity, experience and comfort in working with down payment assistance programs.

What’s the first step to getting started?
If you're ready to start the home-buying process and apply for HAP funds, the first step is to attend a voluntary Homebuyer Education Course by a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. The course helps prepare you for the home-buying process and the financial responsibility of homeownership. It is also helpful to know your FICO or Experian credit score in addition to being pre-qualified or pre-approved by a Mortgage Lender or Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) licensed to provide mortgage financing. Housing Counseling Agencies (HCAs) can help by pulling your credit, providing financial literacy and preparing you for mortgage readiness. There are several locations to choose from.

Do I have to be low income to use HAP funds?
HAP funds are not just for lower income buyers. You can be moderate to middle income and still be eligible. Eligibility is based on having an annual household income that doesn’t exceed 140 percent of area median income in Miami-Dade County based on your family size. Income limits are available on this chart.

What is the benefit of using HAP funds?
HAP funds can be used to reduce down-payment or closing costs, making it easier for prospective homeowners to quality for a mortgage.

Can I use other down payment assistance programs in addition to using HAP?
Yes. HAP funds may be combined with other County, state, local municipalities, federal, and certain approved assistance programs designated for affordable housing in certain instances. However, combining down payment assistance programs can significantly extend approval timelines.

I've owned a home before. Can I still participate?
Yes, you may still be able to participate if you are seeking a primary residence in Miami-Dade County, have obtained first mortgage lender approval and can provide needed evidence verifying your household income not exceeding 140 percent AMI.

Can I use HAP funds to buy any property?
HAP funds can be used to buy any new or existing single-family, townhouse, or condo property in Miami- Dade County. It must be an owner-occupied property that serves as your primary residence. Investment properties and multi-family units are not eligible. Foreclosed REOs and short sales are considered on a case-by-case basis.

What’s the maximum purchase price with HAP funds?
There is no MDEAT-HAP maximum purchase price limit. Purchases are subject only to loan qualifications of lenders licensed to provide mortgage financing as to the loan amount. However, many lenders or other DAP programs may have purchase price or mortgage limitations.

Does HAP provide rental or foreclosure assistance? No, HAP does not have or provide rental or foreclosure assistance. However, various County resources are available such as:
The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), which is an agency and instrumentality of Miami- Dade County, is soliciting applications under a Request for Application (RFA) process to fund activities with Documentary Stamp Surtax (Surtax) funds. This Surtax Construction Development Loan Program is seeking proposals to address high unmet needs in affordable housing.

This RFA will target single family and multi unit homeownership projects that may include acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction with or without acquisition of County-owned property. Both for-profit and non-profit developers are encouraged to participate. MDEAT encourages development teams competing for Documentary Stamp Surtax funding to be diversified and aspire to be consistent with and reflect the diversity of the Miami-Dade County community pursuant to policies outlined in Resolution No. R-1080-14.
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MDEAT’s Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RAP) offers up to $50,000 forgivable loans for low-to-moderate income homeowners to make repairs. This loan carries no interest and requires no payments for the life of the loan. The loan becomes forgivable after 15 years if the property remains owner-occupied, the borrower does not refinance, or transfer ownership.
Low-to-moderate income borrowers may have any licensed mortgage lender in the State of Florida submit a HAP application on their behalf. Borrowers must go through a Miami-Dade County Finance Department-approved vendor to secure a HAP commitment issued and funds released.

For closing agents (title companies and attorneys), approval by Miami-Dade County Finance Department (MDC-Finance) as a registered supplier (vendor) is required before eligibility is designated to a closing agent for use of any borrower receiving a HAP loan, be it for downpayment and/or closing costs assistance.

Closing agents should maintain at least one or more persons on staff that are knowledgeable of and/ or experienced with closing HAP and other DPA funded loans.

Closing agents must have a sunbiz.org listing as an entity with an active and updated record including valid tax ID number.

Closing agents must stay current and approved with MDC-Finance with regards to updates or changes in address, banking affiliation, name changes and/ or other affiliated changes in their sunbiz record.

Closing agents must complete and submit an original “wet” signed Miami-Dade County approved ACH direct deposit form as a permanent means to receive HAP funds. The only other currently available option is to receive HAP funds via physical check disbursement by (Miami-Dade County) Finance (i.e., wire transfer are not currently available)
Learn about becoming a HAP-approved Housing Counseling Agency.

HAP borrowers must use a designated Housing Counseling Agency (HCA) from the HAP Approved Home Counseling Agencies (HCAs)/1st Time Home Buyers Education Providers.

HAP participating HCAs must incorporate the HAP Homebuyer Education Course Curriculum. The curriculum includes information and criteria for workshops held online, via teleconference, virtual or webcast.

MDEAT HAP does not provide homebuyer education workshops or seminars.

In addition to submitting a course certificate for HAP funds, the HAP borrower will sign a HAP Homebuyer Education Course Completion Form to acknowledge that the HAP borrower received information about HAP during the workout.

All HAP participating HCAs must be HUD-approved and maintain HUD approval status.

MDEAT HAP does not dictate nor oversee the manner or procedure HCAs use to conduct their HB education. Their governing entity, United States Housing and Urban Development, Florida Department of Financial Services has guidelines, provisions, and directives that the HCAs must follow. MDEAT HAP will investigate claims or complaints regarding unfair or biased conduct or treatment by an HCA and may act as deemed appropriate or necessary. This includes but is not limited to withholding certificate release or requiring that an attendee or home buyer education workshop participant use any certain or lender, loan originator, realtor or closing agent.