Is there home buyer assistance in Polk County in 2026?

Yes, there are three programs depending on where the home is. Inside Winter Haven, the city gives up to $60,000 year-round while funds last; inside Lakeland, up to $40,000; and in the rest of the county, Polk's program gives up to $50,000, although in late September 2026 it said it had no funds for now. All require income within the limit, a homebuyer class and that the home be your main residence.

Home buyer assistance in Polk County, Lakeland and Winter Haven (2026)

First: where is the home?

Polk has three local programs, and each covers a different area:

Inside Winter Haven city limits: Winter Haven's program.
Inside Lakeland city limits: Lakeland's program.
The rest of the county (Auburndale, Bartow, Haines City, Davenport, Lake Wales, the Polk side of Poinciana and unincorporated areas): Polk County's program.

Careful: an address that says "Winter Haven" or "Lakeland" can be outside the city. Lakeland has an address lookup tool, and the Polk Property Appraiser shows it too. On top of these, you can use state help such as Hometown Heroes. The general steps are in the down payment help guide.

Winter Haven: up to $60,000

Up to $60,000 for down payment and closing costs, based on household income.
A 0% interest, deferred, forgivable loan over five years.
Funds are given year-round to whoever qualifies and is ready first, while money lasts.
Income up to 120% of area median income. Example: up to $104,760 for a household of four.
Single-family home, condo or townhouse priced no higher than $544,243. Mobile homes don't qualify.
No home ownership in the past three years.
An eight-hour homebuyer workshop and a regular first mortgage from a bank or mortgage company.
The city runs it with Guardian Community Resource Management (352-437-3902). At the city, ask Affordable Housing at 863-291-5600, ext. 2105.

Lakeland: up to $40,000

Up to $40,000 for low-income households (up to 80% of area median income): the first $25,000 as a loan and up to $15,000 as a grant.
Citywide, help goes up to 80% of median income. Example: up to $69,850 for four people. In the Midtown CRA district it goes up to 140%, with up to $25,000.
0% interest and no monthly payments. If you sell, refinance, transfer or stop living in the home in the first five years, you repay it all. In years 6 to 10 you repay half, and after 10 years it's forgiven.
Maximum price of $433,045, land included.
You can't currently own a home, and you must put in at least $1,000 of your own money.
A HUD-approved homebuyer class for everyone on the deed.
Only the lender can submit the application. Housing Office: 863-834-3360.

Polk County: up to $50,000, no funds for now

The county set aside $1.2 million in SHIP funds for this help for 2026-27, with applications from July 1, 2026. But the program page, updated September 28, 2026, says funding is unavailable at this time. Call Housing and Neighborhood Development at (863) 534-5240 to ask whether more opens up.

When funds are available, it works like this:

Up to $50,000 for very low income (up to 50% of median income), $40,000 for low income (up to 80%) and $30,000 for moderate income (up to 120%). For four people, those limits are $43,650, $69,850 and $104,760.
A five-year loan at 0% interest with no monthly payments. If you sell, transfer, refinance or stop living in the home, you repay it in full. Ask what happens at the end of the five years.
You must have lived or worked in Polk for the past 12 months, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and not have owned a home in the past three years.
Household savings of $50,000 or less, at least $750 of your own money, and total debt up to 45% of income.
Maximum price of $544,233, land included. Mobile homes and homes with in-ground pools don't qualify. A resale home needs an inspection.
A HUD-approved class in the past 18 months for everyone on the deed.
The lender submits the signed contract 20 to 120 days before closing. Funds are reserved for whoever is ready first.

How to get ready

Take the homebuyer class now with a HUD-approved agency. Several programs require it, and one class serves for all.
Gather pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. Programs count all household income.
Find a lender that works with these programs. You can test your budget in the buyer simulator.
Look for a home under the price limit and inside the program's area, and allow extra time to close.

This guide is general information. Amounts, limits and funding change during the year, and meeting the requirements doesn't guarantee the help. Confirm with each program's office before you sign. If you'd like, I can help you check which area a home is in and find options within the limits.