Realtor.com

Miami-Dade County's Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) has launched "Welcome H.O.M.E." (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone), a lottery program aimed at improving access to homeownership amid soaring local housing costs. Developed in partnership with JL Brown Development Corp., the program offers three newly constructed homes to eligible applicants, who may qualify for up to $150,000 in down payment and homebuyer assistance, subject to available funds. The homes are not free — winners must still qualify for their own financing.

Eligible applicants must earn up to 140% of the area median income, which was roughly $89,800 in 2026 for the Miami metro area. The randomized lottery ranks applicants one through ten, giving the top six 60 days to qualify for a home before the next applicant is contacted. Applications opened September 1 and were expected to run through September 30 or until 200 qualified applications were received — but the program has already closed. Miami-Dade's median home listing price was $588,700 in August, well above Florida's statewide median of $419,000.