State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program

Created in 1992 as part of the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act, The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to provide very low, low, and moderate-income families with assistance to purchase a home, money to repair or replace a home, as well as other types of housing assistance. This assistance is in the form of a deferred payment loan with 0% interest and no monthly payments. A wait list may exist for this program. Funding is awarded to income-qualified individuals and families on a first-qualified, first-served basis.

For more information on any of the programs described below please contact Okaloosa County Housing Staff

***If you need a payoff amount for a SHIP mortgage please email a request to Abra McGill at amcgill@myokaloosa.com. ***

Owner Occupied Rehabilitation 

This program provides financial assistance to low-income families for home repairs to alleviate health hazards, life and safety issues and code violations.

Application period opened Monday, November 27, 2023

This application period will end when all funds have been committed. A waiting list will be created should there be more applicants than available funds. Funds are awarded on a first-qualified, first-assisted basis.

As provided by the Florida Statutes, a minimum of 20% will be set aside for Special Needs Households. First priority will be given to eligible persons with special needs as defined in s. 420.0004, Florida Statutes. Next priority will be given to applicants who meet the very-low and low-income statutory set asides. Final priory will be given to essential service personnel as defined in the County’s LHAP.

Under the Owner-Occupied Repair/Rehab Programs, assistance is provided to income-eligible owner occupants to alleviate health hazards, life and safety issues and code violations.

Once the SHIP Homeowner Rehabilitation application packets has been completed applicant should contact the Housing Specialist for an appointment to complete the income certiication process. 

   Qualifications:

• Must be qualified for assistance by County Housing Staff performing an income certification process
• Must sign an Agreement with the County, the Contractor and a 2nd Mortgage and Promissory Note for the Loan being granted
• Applicants may not receive assistance more than twice for the same property
• The home must be located in Okaloosa County
• Must be the owner (name on deed) occupant (homestead exemption) of the property for a minimum of 3 years prior to receiving assistance
• Must have a total gross family income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income for Okaloosa County adjusted for family size
• Property taxes and Mortgage must be current on the property
• Home must be covered by property insurance
• Other program requirements must be met

FORMS

• Applicant Checklist
• SHIP Application  
• Authorization of Release of Information
• Zero Income
• Child Support Affidavit

WANT TO BE A SHIP CONTRACTOR??? Okaloosa County is accepting applications from licensed contractors who are interested in working with the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program. The following contractor types may apply: Residential, Building, and General

• SHIP CONTRACTOR APPLICATION 
• SHIP CONTRACTOR HANDBOOK   

housing@myokaloosa.com 

Purchase Assistance  - Applications are NOT being accepted at this time.

This program is designed to assist low-income families with down payment and closing cost assistance for the purchase of a home for first-time home buyers.

There are currently NO funds available for this program. If you are interested in the program may call or email Housing Staff and be placed on the waiting list.

Qualifications:

• Must be qualified for assistance by County Housing Staff performing an income certification process

• Applicant must sign an Agreement with the County and a 2nd Mortgage and Promissory Note for the Loan being granted

• Home must be located in Okaloosa County

• Must be first-time homebuyer

• Must have a total gross family income that does not exceed 120% of the area median income for Okaloosa County adjusted for family size

• Must have sufficient income and creditworthiness to pre-qualify for primary financing from a participating lender

• Home must not exceed purchase price limit set by LHAP

• Monthly mortgage payments including taxes and insurance must not exceed 30% of the median adjusted monthly gross income of the applicant

• Other program requirements must be met

Disaster Assistance 

This program will be available during Presidential or Governor Executive Order ONLY. Applications are NOT being accepted at this time.