🏡 PALM BEACH COUNTY HOMEBUYERS: YOU MAY HAVE ANOTHER PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

If you work in Palm Beach County and have been wondering whether buying a home is still within reach, there is a local housing program you should know about.

The Palm Beach County Workforce Housing Program (WHP) was designed to increase housing opportunities for people working in Palm Beach County and help income-qualified households access homes at below-market prices.

And here's what makes this program especially interesting:

Qualified buyers may also be eligible for assistance toward their home purchase.

Let's break it down.

1. 🏠 ACCESS TO BELOW-MARKET WORKFORCE HOUSING

One of the biggest obstacles facing today's buyers isn't necessarily qualifying for a mortgage—it's finding a home at an affordable purchase price.

Palm Beach County's Workforce Housing Program creates designated homes that are sold to income-qualified buyers at restricted prices.

The program generally serves households between 60% and 140% of Area Median Income (AMI), with the applicable income limits depending on household size and the program's current annual limits.

These aren't limited to one particular type of worker. The program is intended to help the workforce that supports Palm Beach County's communities.

Availability is limited and changes as properties become available.

2. 💰 QUALIFIED BUYERS MAY RECEIVE SUBSTANTIAL PURCHASE ASSISTANCE

This is one of the most important parts of the program.

Palm Beach County's current WHP guidelines provide maximum assistance based on the buyer's income category and the home's sales price:

60%–80% AMI: Up to 27% of the sales price

Over 80%–100% AMI: Up to 20%

Over 100%–120% AMI: Up to 15%

Over 120%–140% AMI: Up to 10%

Assistance can be used for eligible costs that include down payment and closing costs.

The actual assistance amount isn't automatic. Palm Beach County determines the final award based on program requirements, including household income, assets and underwriting.

The assistance is structured as a 0% deferred-payment loan secured by a second mortgage and promissory note.

That's an important distinction: this should not simply be described as "free money" or a grant.

3. 🔑 YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN MORTGAGE LENDER

This is an important detail many potential buyers may not realize.

Palm Beach County's WHP guidelines state that applicants may use the bank or lender of their choice for their first-mortgage financing.

That means I can help you review your mortgage qualification and financing strategy while you pursue eligibility through Palm Beach County.

Your first mortgage and the county's Workforce Housing assistance are separate pieces that must work together correctly.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS?

There are several requirements buyers need to understand.

Applicants must complete the county's Workforce Housing Orientation as the first step in the WHP process.

Applicants must also complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course through a HUD-approved or NeighborWorks-approved housing agency.

The home must be your primary residence, and WHP owner-occupied properties cannot be leased, rented or sublet under the program requirements.

There are also household income, asset, property, mortgage and underwriting requirements.

For households seeking Palm Beach County assistance to purchase a WHP property, the current published guidelines establish a maximum household asset limit of $200,000.

WHAT TYPES OF HOMES ARE AVAILABLE?

Inventory changes.

Palm Beach County maintains a list of designated Workforce Housing properties that may include new-construction and resale opportunities.

As of September 2026, the county's published for-sale inventory includes certain WHP resale opportunities in the Lake Worth area, while some listed new-construction WHP inventory is already under contract.

This is exactly why buyers should prepare before finding the property.

When an opportunity becomes available, you don't want to begin figuring out your financing from scratch.

THERE ARE RESALE RESTRICTIONS

There's another important consideration.

WHP homes aren't the same as purchasing an unrestricted market-rate property.

Palm Beach County states that WHP for-sale units must generally remain restricted to income-qualified purchasers at designated prices for a 15-year affordability period, including when a property is resold during that period.

Buyers should understand these restrictions before purchasing because they can affect how and to whom the property may be resold.

SO, WHERE SHOULD YOU START?

Don't start by assuming you qualify—or that you don't.

Start by understanding the numbers.

I can help you review your mortgage qualification, estimated payment, available loan programs and overall financing strategy so you can determine whether pursuing a Palm Beach County Workforce Housing property makes sense for you.

From there, you'll also need to complete Palm Beach County's required WHP process and receive the appropriate county eligibility determination.

READY TO EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS?

If you're considering purchasing a home in Palm Beach County, let's look at your complete financing picture.

Delilah Goodman
Mortgage Loan Officer | NMLS #2733702
Nexa Lending
📞 (786) 431-8139
📧 [email protected]
🌐 https://delilah.mdgmanagementgroup.com/

Education First. Strategy Always.

Program availability, funding, income limits, property inventory, eligibility requirements and guidelines are subject to change. Assistance is not guaranteed. Buyers must meet Palm Beach County requirements and applicable mortgage underwriting requirements. This article is for educational purposes and is not a commitment to lend.