You have more options than you think. Explore government programs designed to help Florida homeowners stay in their homes — or exit with dignity.
Act early — the sooner you reach out, the more options you have. Free HUD-approved counseling is available now: 1-800-569-4287
Falling behind on your mortgage is stressful, but foreclosure is rarely inevitable. Federal, state, and local programs exist specifically to help homeowners in Florida navigate financial hardship — from loan modifications and forbearance to emergency mortgage assistance and HUD-approved counseling.
Florida is a judicial foreclosure state, which means lenders must file a lawsuit and go through the courts before your home can be sold. That process typically takes 6 to 18 months — giving you meaningful time to explore every available option. The earlier you act, the more doors remain open.
John Schmidt has helped Tampa Bay homeowners navigate pre-foreclosure and short sale situations for over 22 years. Whether you need a referral to a HUD-approved counselor, want to understand a short sale, or simply need to know where to start — this guide covers every program available to you right now.
14 federal, state, and local programs available to Florida homeowners — most at no cost.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Free or low-cost counseling from HUD-approved agencies. Counselors help you understand your options, negotiate with lenders, and create a plan to avoid foreclosure.
Eligibility
Any homeowner facing financial hardship or at risk of foreclosure.
How to Apply
Call 1-800-569-4287 or visit hud.gov to find a local HUD-approved counselor.
U.S. Treasury Department
Provides financial assistance to eligible homeowners for mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, HOA fees, and utilities to prevent foreclosure.
Eligibility
Homeowners who experienced financial hardship after January 21, 2020. Income limits apply.
How to Apply
Apply through Florida's HAF program at myfloridahomeownership.com.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
If you have an FHA-insured loan, you may qualify for special loss mitigation options including loan modification, special forbearance, partial claims, and pre-foreclosure sales.
Eligibility
Homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages experiencing financial hardship.
How to Apply
Contact your loan servicer directly and ask about FHA loss mitigation options.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans with VA-guaranteed loans can receive free financial counseling and VA loan technicians who work with servicers on your behalf to explore alternatives to foreclosure.
Eligibility
Veterans and active-duty service members with VA-guaranteed home loans.
How to Apply
Call 1-877-827-3702 or visit va.gov/housing-assistance.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Homeowners with USDA-guaranteed or direct loans in rural areas may qualify for loan modifications, payment deferrals, and special forbearance programs.
Eligibility
Homeowners with USDA Section 502 loans in eligible rural areas of Florida.
How to Apply
Contact your local USDA Rural Development office or call 1-800-414-1226.
Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac (GSEs)
If your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may qualify for the Flex Modification program, which can reduce your monthly payment by up to 20%.
Eligibility
Homeowners who are 60+ days delinquent or at imminent risk of default with a Fannie/Freddie loan.
How to Apply
Contact your mortgage servicer and ask about Flex Modification. Look up your loan at knowyouroptions.com or freddiemac.com/loanlookup.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Florida's state-administered HAF program provides direct financial assistance to eligible homeowners for mortgage reinstatement, monthly mortgage payments, and other housing costs.
Eligibility
Florida homeowners who experienced COVID-19-related financial hardship. Household income must be at or below 150% of Area Median Income.
How to Apply
Apply online at myfloridahomeownership.com. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
While the primary HHF program has closed, some legacy assistance and follow-up services may still be available for prior participants. Florida Housing can direct you to current alternatives.
Eligibility
Prior HHF participants or homeowners referred by HUD counselors.
How to Apply
Contact Florida Housing at 1-800-814-HOME (4663).
Florida Courts / Supreme Court of Florida
Florida offers a managed mediation program for residential foreclosure cases. A neutral mediator facilitates negotiation between you and your lender to explore alternatives to foreclosure judgment.
Eligibility
Homeowners who have been served with a foreclosure complaint on their primary residence.
How to Apply
Request mediation through the court when you respond to the foreclosure complaint. Contact your local circuit court clerk for details.
Florida Office of the Attorney General
The AG's office provides resources on homeowner rights during foreclosure, protections against mortgage fraud, and referrals to legal aid organizations for free representation.
Eligibility
Any Florida homeowner facing foreclosure or suspected mortgage fraud.
How to Apply
Visit myfloridalegal.com or call 1-866-966-7226.
Pinellas County Government
Pinellas County offers housing counseling, emergency mortgage assistance, and referrals to local nonprofits for homeowners in pre-foreclosure in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and surrounding areas.
Eligibility
Pinellas County residents experiencing mortgage delinquency or financial hardship.
How to Apply
Call Pinellas County Community Development at (727) 464-8210.
Hillsborough County Government
Provides emergency mortgage assistance, housing counseling referrals, and connections to local nonprofits for Tampa-area homeowners at risk of foreclosure.
Eligibility
Hillsborough County residents facing mortgage delinquency.
How to Apply
Call (813) 274-6500 or visit hillsboroughcounty.org.
Bay Area Legal Services (Nonprofit)
Provides free legal assistance to low-income homeowners facing foreclosure in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, and Manatee counties. Services include foreclosure defense, loan modification help, and bankruptcy counseling.
Eligibility
Low-to-moderate income homeowners in the Tampa Bay area.
How to Apply
Call (813) 232-1343 or apply online at bals.org.
Gulfcoast Legal Services (Nonprofit)
Free civil legal aid for eligible homeowners in Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Assists with foreclosure defense, mortgage modifications, and predatory lending issues.
Eligibility
Income-eligible homeowners in the covered counties.
How to Apply
Call (727) 821-0726 or visit gulfcoastlegal.org.
If keeping your home isn't possible, there are still options that protect your credit and dignity far better than a completed foreclosure. A local real estate expert can help you evaluate each path.
Sell your home for less than you owe with lender approval. Avoids foreclosure on your record and can be completed faster with the right agent.
Voluntarily transfer your home to the lender in exchange for release from the mortgage debt. Less damaging to credit than foreclosure.
Permanently change the terms of your loan — interest rate, loan term, or principal balance — to make payments affordable.
Temporarily pause or reduce your mortgage payments while you recover financially. Missed payments are typically added to the end of your loan.
If you have equity, selling your home before the foreclosure sale is completed lets you pay off the mortgage and walk away with proceeds intact.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy can halt foreclosure proceedings and allow you to catch up on missed payments over 3–5 years under court protection.
Exploring your next steps?
Whether you decide to sell your current home or are ready to buy again after resolving a hardship, our local guides can help.
Common questions from Tampa Bay homeowners facing foreclosure or pre-foreclosure.
John Schmidt has helped Tampa Bay homeowners navigate difficult situations for over 22 years. Whether you're exploring a short sale, need a referral to a HUD counselor, or just want to understand your options — reach out for a confidential, no-pressure conversation.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Program availability, eligibility requirements, and funding levels change frequently. Always verify current program status directly with the administering agency or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
