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Nassau County, Florida

Welcome to beautiful Nassau County, located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. We are proud to serve as the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. From our historic island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses to our scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, we truly offer something for everyone.

County Awarded Historic Resources Grant

6/25/2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
County Awarded Historic Resources Grant for Historical Resources Survey
 
Nassau County, Florida, June 25, 2021 – In May 2020, the Board of County Commissioners submitted an application to the State of Florida for a Historic Resources Grant to assist with Phase Two of a county-wide historic resources survey.
 
The purpose of the historic resource survey is to identify historic sites and structures within the County and submit the findings to the State of Florida for inclusion in the Florida Master Site File. The Master Site File is a form developed by the National Park Service that provides specific architectural, cultural, and historic information about each historic site and structure. Examples of historic sites include archeological sites, historic homes, commercial buildings, churches, barns, railroad beds, and bridges. County Master Site Files are several decades old and a new survey will determine which sites still exist and also identify historic sites and structures that have achieved historic significance in recent years.
 
The first phase of the project consisted of surveying areas in unincorporated Nassau County including 558 historic resources, each of which was recorded into a Master Site File. The second phase will consist of surveying an additional 1,200 – 1,300 structures in late 2021/early 2022. The last part of the project will be to complete the survey and recommend future historic preservation strategies for the County.
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Nassau County Planning Department at (904) 530-6300 or email planninginfo@nassaucountyfl.com.
 

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Second Round of CRF Funding for Rent/Mortgage Assistance to Be Available Beginning November 19, 2020

11/5/2020

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Nassau County, Florida, November 5, 2020 - The Nassau County Commission has approved the use of the second funding of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to assist in rental and mortgage payments. Any activities (reduction hours, reduction in income, termination/layoff of employment) that occurred between March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 due to COVID-19 are eligible.
The application submittal period will be November 19th – 30th, 2020. For your application to be considered, it must be received by the Nassau CARES office not later than the 5:00 p.m. on November 30, 2020. 
 
Information about the CRF Program for Rental and Mortgage Assistance will be available at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1039/Nassau-CARES starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19th, 2020. Application assistance will be available by contacting Carol Gilchrist between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Thursday, November 19th, through Monday, November 30th at (904) 530-6020 or emailing cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com. The office will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th.
 
Application packets can be picked up at the following locations during the normal business hours:
 
  • Nassau County, James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097
  • Callahan Town Hall, 542300 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011
  • Fernandina Beach City Hall, 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Online applications will be available at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1039/Nassau-CARES starting at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19th, 2020. To request application packets by email, send your request to cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com


VERY IMPORTANT:  Because of CDC Guidelines about social distancing, please do not plan to complete your application at the County offices. If you need assistance, please call 904-530-6020 or email cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

Applications and documentation will be accepted at the drop box located at the front entrance of the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097 beginning Thursday, November 19th, 2020. For your application to be considered, it must be in the drop box no later than the 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020. 
 
Applications sent by mail or by FedEx should be addressed to Nassau CARES Application, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097. Applications must be delivered by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30th, 2020. Please note if the carrier does not deliver by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 30th, your application will be ineligible.
 
Incomplete applications or applications with missing documentation may be deemed ineligible.  Applications may not be reviewed if documents are missing, falsified or illegible.  Upon the review, if your application is incomplete, you will be notified by e-mail or telephone and will be provided an opportunity to submit the incomplete information by 5:00 p.m. the following business day.  The incomplete information will need to be hand-delivered to the Nassau County, James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097 by the deadline. 
 
Eligible applicants will be selected for an award by an independent contractor.  The process for selection will be to sequentially number all submittals on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 (but not in date/time order of submittal).  After all applications have been numbered, a Random Sequence Generator will be used to establish a review sequence.  The applications will be reviewed based on random sequence until the maximum number of eligible applications are processed. 
 
Applicants will be notified of their award beginning December 1st, 2020 by e-mail or phone call.
 
 
 

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CARES Funding for Small Businesses

8/3/2020

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8/3/20 @ 11:45 a.m.

For Immediate Release:

Nassau County is included as part of the $1.275 billion allocated to Florida’s 55 counties with populations less than 500,000 residents.  The Nassau County Cares Financial Assistance Plan (Plan) identifies the Service Areas (Services) approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in July 2020.  On July 1, 2020, Nassau County received its initial allocation from the State of Florida.

The Nassau County Commission approved $2,200,000 of the County’s CARES Act funds to assist eligible small businesses.  Small businesses must document disruption or negative financial impacts due to COVID-19.  Applicants that meet the criteria are eligible to apply. The maximum award of up to $5,000 per applicant will be issued up to the funds approved by the BOCC.  Multiple submissions by the same applicant for the same single business or multiple applications by different applicants for the same business will be disqualified and deemed ineligible.  Any business that cannot meet all the requirements below are not eligible for the Nassau CARES Small Business Assistance.

  • Business is a “For-profit” Business
  • Business has nine (9) or less employees or full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
  • Business is not a publicly traded company.
  • Business has experienced a business interruption or closures due to COVID-19.
  • Business has not received funds covered by insurance or reimbursement from the Federal Payroll Protection Program (PPP), or other local, state or federal sources in excess of $50,000 related to COVID-19.
  • Business is expected to operate after applicable local and state emergency guidelines are removed.
  • Business commits to following all recommended COVID-19 safety guidelines.
  • Business has earned less than 1.0 million in gross annual income for 2019.
  • Business is physically located and operated within the boundaries of Nassau County, Florida.
  • Business is wholly or partially owned by a Nassau County resident
  • Business has been operating and can prove ongoing business operations since August 1, 2017 (3 years).
  • Business is current on all Payroll taxes.
  • Business is current on all Sales and Unemployment taxes.
  • Business is current on all Property taxes.
  • Business is current on all Federal Income taxes.
  • Business has no current unpaid code enforcement liens or violation of any state, federal or local laws.
  • No Business Owners, including all Managing Members and/or Officers, have been convicted of financial crimes within the past three years.
  • No businesses that have as owners and/or employees who are current elected officials, directors, officers, employees, and contractors of the County and such individuals’ spouse.

The application submittal period is August 1 – 17, 2020. Information about the Small Business Assistance will be available starting August 1, 2020 at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1039/Nassau-CARES. Application assistance will be available by contacting the Nassau CARES hotline between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (904) 530-6800 beginning on Monday, August 3, 2020 or by e-mailing cares@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office


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Nassau County Receives Award from the Florida Housing Coalition

8/30/2019

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PictureSHIP Coordinator, Carol Gilchrist and BOCC Chairman, Justin Taylor
9/1/19 @ 4:20 p.m.- At the Florida Housing Coalition held in Orlando this week, Nassau County was recognized for a recent success story for a resident that received rehabilitation assistance through Nassau County's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.

The SHIP Program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act and provides funding to local governments to produce and preserve affordable home ownership. In order to participate, counties must establish a local housing assistance program by Ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy. Funds are then allocated to local governments on a population based-formula. The funds are used for emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, and down payment and closing cost assistance for very-low, low and moderate income families who meet all the requirements listed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.907, Florida Administrative Code 67-37, and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan.

The SHIP success story was shared previously with Nassau County residents on June 25, 2019. Click here to see the original story and to view the video.

The State asked counties to submit videos of their local recipients to share resident's personal experiences with the program and to spread awareness to other residents who may need assistance. We were notified on August 15th that our video was selected as one that best reflects the SHIP Program and how it changes the lives of those in need.

This couldn't have been done without the efforts of our SHIP Coordinator, Carol Gilchrist. Great job Carol!


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Local Residents Share Their Experience Participating in the SHIP Rehabilitation Program

6/21/2019

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6/25/19 @ 9:20 a.m. - In July 2018, we shared a story regarding Nassau County homes that were rehabilitated using State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP) Funds. To view the story, please click here.

Now, two residents are sharing their stories about their personal experience with this program in order to spread awareness to other residents who may need home improvements but have no way to pay for the expenses to make the repairs themselves.

SHIP Success Story One
SHIP Success Story Two

The SHIP Program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act and provides funding to local governments to produce and preserve affordable home ownership. In order to participate, counties must establish a local housing assistance program by Ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan and housing incentive strategy. Funds are then allocated to local governments on a population based-formula. The funds are used for emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, and down payment and closing cost assistance for very-low, low and moderate income families who meet all the requirements listed in Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.907, Florida Administrative Code 67-37, and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan.

For additional information about the SHIP Program including income requirements and associated guidelines, please visit our website. You may also contact the Grants Office at (904) 530-6020 or e-mail Carol Gilchrist at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office





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Rehabilitation and Down Payment Assistance Available for Persons with Developmental Disability/Disabling Condition/Special Needs

8/29/2018

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8/29/18 @ 3:30 p.m. -  

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners has approximately $120,000 in affordable housing dollars available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program to serve persons with Developmental Disability/Disabling Condition/Special Needs providing home modifications/rehabilitation to an existing home or providing down payment and closing cost assistance to those qualifying to purchase a home or to the family member with whom they reside. Mobile homes are not eligible for assistance.
 
Developmental Disability means a disorder or syndrome that is attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, or Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age of 18; and that constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.
s. 393.063(9) Florida Statues
 
Disabling Condition means a diagnosable substance abuse disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability or chronic physical illness or disability or the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions, and a determination that the condition is:
  1. Expected to be long-continued and indefinite duration and
  2. Not expected to impair the ability of the person with special needs to live independently with appropriate supports.
 s.420.004(7) Florida Statues
 
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:
  1. A young adult formerly in foster care who is eligible for services under s. 409.1451(5)
  2. A survivor of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28 or
  3. A person receiving disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or from Veteran’s Disability Benefits.

For additional information, please visit our website. You may also contact Grants Specialist, Carol Gilchrist, at (904) 530-6020 or via e-mail at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
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State Housing Initiative Partnership Funding Available to Aid in Disaster Relief for Low-Income Families

9/21/2017

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9/21/17 @ 3:15 p.m. - Please see the below Press Release from the Nassau County Grants Office:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAROL GILCHRIST
(904) 530-6020

 
SHIP Funds Available to Aid in Disaster Relief for Low-Income Families
 
Executive Order Number 17-235 was issued by Governor Rick Scott on September 4, 2017, due to threats related to Hurricane Irma. The Executive Order allows local government to use unencumbered State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to carry out activities related to disaster relief. (Florida Administrative Code, 67-37.005(9)) This State of Emergency shall expire 6 months from the date of this order.
 
Nassau County citizens in need of emergency assistance for damages related to Hurricane Irma could qualify for up to $5,000 in grant funds to be used to protect their home from further damage. Examples include tree removal from home, hiring of a cleaning service to extract water, roof repairs, boarding of broken windows, and payment of insurance deductible. Mobile homes and rental properties are not eligible.
 
Assistance is only for very-low and low income families. This applies to those with household income equal to or less than 80% of the area median income as shown on the chart below.
                                          
Household Size                     Annual Income Limit                         
1                                  $36,050
2                                  $41,200
3                                  $46,350
4                                  $51,500
5                                  $55,650
6                                  $59,750
7                                  $63,900
8                                  $68,000
 
Nassau County citizens meeting the above requirements and in need of assistance should contact the Nassau County SHIP Office at (904) 530-6020. Applicants will be required to fill out a Disaster Self Certification Form and a SHIP Application, and must provide income documentation.
 
 ******************************************************************************************************
-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office
 
 
 

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Notice Regarding Date Change for SHIP Down Payment & Rehabilitation Assistance

12/12/2016

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Due to an error in the advertisement regarding SHIP Funding, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation has directed the County to readvertise the program, therefore applications for down payment and rehabilitation assistance will NOT BE available on Friday, December 16th as originally anticipated. The new date that applications will be available is Friday, January 20th. Applications can be picked up beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the 20th at the Office of Management & Budget located at 96135 Nassau Place, Suite 2, Yulee, FL 32097. Funding is awarded on a first come, first served basis and applications will not be accepted after funds are exhausted.

The State Housing Iniatives Program (SHIP) provides affordable housing assistance to very-low, low, and moderate-income families who meet all the requirements outlined in Florida Statute, Section 420.907, Administrative Code 67-37 and Nassau County's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). SHIP has provided Fiscal Year 2016/2017 for both down payment assistance for those interested in purchasing a home and rehabilitation asstistance for those needing repairs on an existing home. For additional information on the SHIP Program including income limits and program guidelines, please visit the SHIP webpage. You may also contact Carol Gilchrist at (904) 530-6020 or via e-mail at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office  
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SHIP Funds Available to Aid in Disaster Relief for Low-Income Families

10/19/2016

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10/19/16 at 10:15 a.m.  - Executive Order Number 16-230 was issued by Governor Rick Scott on October 3, 2016, due to threats related to Hurricane Matthew. The Executive Order allows local government to use unencumbered State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to carry out activities related to disaster relief (Florida Administrative Code, 67-37.005(9)).

Nassau County citizens in need of emergency assistance for damages related to Hurricane Matthews could qualify for up to $5,000 in grant funds to be used to protect their home from further damage. Examples include tree removal from home, hiring of a cleaning service to extract water, roof repairs, boarding of broken windows, and payment of insurance deductible. Mobile homes and rental properties are not eligible.

Assistance is only for very-low and low income families. This applies to those with household income equal to or less than 80% of the area median income as shown on the chart below:

Household Size       Annual Income Limit 
1                    $36,350
2                    $41,550
3                    $46,750
4                    $51,900
5                    $56.100
6                    $60,250
7                    $64,400
8                    $68,550

Nassau County citizens meeting the above requirements or needing assistance should contact the Nassau County SHIP Office at (904) 530-6020. Applicants will be required to fill out a Disaster Self Certification Form and a SHIP Application, and must provide income documentation. 

-Carol Gilchrist
 Office of Management & Budget/Grants/SHIP
                       
 
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Mortgage Assistance through the Florida Hardest Hit Program

2/5/2014

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Are you currently having trouble paying your mortgage due to unemployment or underemployment? If so, you may qualify for assistance through Florida's Hardest Hit Program. In February 2010, the US Treasury created the "Housing Finance Agency (HFA) Innovation Fund for the Hardest-Hit Housing Markets". Overall, Florida has received a total award amount of $1 billion dollars due to excessive housing market depreciation and/or high unemployment rates.

There are currently two specifically targeted unemployment programs that provide temporary assistance to eligible homeowners. These targeted employment programs are collectively known as the Florida Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) program and are as follows:


Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP)
will provide up to 12 months of payments (with a cap of $24,000) to the mortgage lender to assist unemployed or underemployed borrowers with their first mortgage until they can resume full payments on their own. In addition, up to $18,000 can be paid to help satisfy all or some of any past due amounts owed. This assistance will be paid prior to the UMAP payments beginning and cannot exceed $18,000. Any past due amounts exceeding $18,000 are the responsibility of the homeowners. Total assistance available is up to $42,000.


Mortgage Loan Reinstatement Payment (MLRP) Program will be used as a one-time payment to help satisfy all or some of the past due amounts owed on the first mortgage, only. This assistance cannot exceed $25,000 total, and any past due amounts greater than $25,000 are the responsibility of the homeowner.

The Nassau County Board of County Commissioners are an approved HHF Advisory Agency. After reviewing the HHF Program benefits/guidelines and eligibility criteria on the official HHF website, you may contact the Nassau County Grants Department at (904) 491-7390 or via e-mail at cgilchrist@nassaucountyfl.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Nassau County Manager's Office


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