
NASSAU COUNTY has an allocation of approximately $300,000 in affordable housing dollars available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Twenty percent (20%) of the 2022-23 SHIP funding has been designated to serve persons with Special Needs as defined in F.S. 420.004 (13) “Persons with special needs” means an adult person requiring independent living services in order to maintain housing or develop independent living skills and who has a disabling condition; a young adult formerly in foster care who is eligible for services under F.S.. 409.1451(5); a survivor of domestic violence as defined in F.S. 741.28; or a person receiving benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or from veterans’ disability benefits to meet set aside requirements. A child receiving SSDI qualifies the household for assistance.
PROGRAMS FUNDED FOR THE 2022-2023 FUNDING PERIOD include:
- Emergency Repairs Grant for minor repairs to owner occupied housing such as but not limited to roof repairs/replacements, wheelchair ramps, septic tank repairs/replacements, and heating/air conditional repairs/replacements. Repair costs cannot exceed $10,000.
- Purchase Assistance with or without Rehabilitation Loan for buyers who do not currently own a home. Repair costs cannot exceed $5,000.
- Purchase Assistance Loan for the purchase of new or existing manufactured home/land packages that are less then 20 years old. Maximum award $25,000.
Eligible applicants can only receive assistance through the SHIP Program once in a 10-year period.
Applications will be available Friday, February 24, 2023, starting at 9 a.m. Applications will not be accepted after funds are exhausted. Applications will be processed “first come, first qualified, first eligible” with a priority given to Special Needs and Essential Service Personnel defined as teachers, police and fire personnel, health care personnel and skilled building trades personnel.
Assistance Limits for Emergency Repairs: Eligible applicants must qualify under very low- or low-income limits. The maximum award for emergency repairs is $10,000. Repairs will include minor work necessary to provide general renovation of the housing stock to correct code violations. No application will be accepted for SHIP clients who have received SHIP funds within the previous ten years.
Assistance Limits for Home Purchases: Currently assistance limits are 20%, 25% and 30% of the sales price of a home and the amount of funding is dependent on the income level of the applicant’s household. The maximum deferred loan is $102,747 and the maximum price of a home for SHIP eligibility is 90% of the Median Home Sold Price for the last 12 months not to exceed $359,263.80 for applicants meeting income limits. Funds may be used for closing costs, first mortgage down payment or a combination of both needs. Up to $5,000 can be used for home repair costs such as roof repairs, window replacement, plumbing, electrical etc. The buyer must occupy the home for ten (10) years for the SHIP loan to be satisfied. A pre-qualification letter from your primary mortgage lender is required for submission of your application.
Assistance Limits for Manufactured Home Purchases: Assistance limits are $25,000 with a maximum purchase price of 90% of the Median Home Sold Price for the last 12 months not to exceed $359,263.80 for applicants meeting the income limits. Funds may be used for closing costs, first mortgage down payment or a combination of both. The buyer must occupy the home for ten (10) years for the SHIP loan to be satisfied. A pre-qualification letter from your primary mortgage lender is required for submission of your application. Only new and existing manufactured land/home packages less than 20 years old are eligible for assistance.
THE NASSAU COUNTY Grants Specialist administers the local SHIP program. Applications will be available on Friday, February 24th, 2023, at 9 a.m. and can be picked up at the address below. Individuals interested in participating in the SHIP program are encouraged to visit our website at www.nassaucountyfl.com and under DEPARTMENTS click on Office of Management and Budget then SHIP. It will provide Purchase Assistance Guidelines and Emergency Repair Guidelines for application or call Carol Gilchrist, Office of Management and Budget, 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097, (904) 530-6020, cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.