Welcome to the Housing Finance Authority
of Palm Beach County
The Housing Finance Authority (the "Authority") was created by ordinance of the Board of County Commissioners of Palm Beach County in accordance with Ch 159 Part IV, Florida Statutes in 1979 to help alleviate a shortage of housing at prices and rentals that many persons and families can afford. The Authority is a dependent special district of Palm Beach County, and the seven members of the Housing Finance Authority are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. The Authority is subject to both state and the Palm Beach County code of ethics. It is a totally self-supporting entity and receives no federal, state or local funding of any kind.
The Authority makes available fixed rate mortgage loans with downpayment and closing cost assistance to persons of moderate, middle and lower incomes for the purchase of newly constructed or existing homes anywhere within Palm Beach County. Funding for more than half a billion dollars of mortgage loans for single family home purchases has been made since the inception of the first program in 1980. These loans are made available through participating banks and mortgage companies with oversight of a program administrator. There are loan eligibility requirements for borrowers as well as maximum household income and home purchase price limits. The details of the "Own a Home Opportunity" loan program can be viewed from the Homebuyers' and Renters' page.
There are other housing assistance programs for individuals and families offered through the Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development and Community Services departments. Rental assistance vouchers are administered through entitlement city housing authorities and the Palm Beach County Housing Authority. For a list of public housing authorities, go to the Homebuyers' and Renters' page.
The Authority also issues tax exempt bonds for the development or acquisition and rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing complexes and loans for the development of affordable housing. Owners of such facilities are required to set aside a portion of the units for lower income persons and families. A list of these communities and their addresses can be viewed here.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages. HUD maintains a page of approved housing counseling agencies in Florida.