NOTICE: 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 

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

SHIP Owner Occupied Rehabilitation 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 and will remain open until all funds have been committed.

Completed SHIP Homeowner Rehabilitation application packets should be returned to the Growth Management Office located in Shalimar during regular office hours (8am - 4pm), placed in the SHIP & Housing Assistance Drop Box or may be emailed to housing staff at housing@myokaloosa.com beginning November 27, 2023.

SHIP Awards are awarded on a First Qualified , First Served basis. 

    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 2^nd Mortgage and Promissory Note for the Loan being granted
• Applicants may not receive assistance more than twice for the same property
• Home must be located in Okaloosa County
• Must be the owner (name on deed) occupant (homestead exemption) of the property for 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 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

Purchase Assistance 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.

Applications are NOT being accepted at this time.

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 2^nd 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 credit worthiness 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 applicant
• Other program requirements must be met

Disaster Assistance - will be available during Presidential or Governor Executive Order ONLY.                                                                

Applications are NOT being accepted at this time.

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