State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
Notices
- 2023 SHIP Annual Report – The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Annual Report 2023 is now available to the public for review at the Housing and Community Development Office, 200 San Sebastian View, Suite 2300, St. Augustine, Fl. 32084 and the Main Library, 1960 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., Fl. 32084.
- 2023-2026 Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) Public Notice
- State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Funds FY2023-2024 and Hurricane Housing Recovery Program (HHRP) Public Notice
- FY 2022-2023 Notices of SHIP Funds Availability
- SHIP 2020-2023 Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP)
Legislative Authority
Chapter 420, Part VII, Florida Statutes and Rule Chapter 67-37, Florida Administrative Code
Purpose of Program
To provide funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships to produce and preserve affordable home ownership and multifamily housing.
Funding
Established by the passage of the 1992 Sadowski Affordable Housing Act. Funds are allocated on a population based formula. The minimum allocation is $350,000 and the largest allocation is a little over $9 million. SHIP funds are distributed to all 67 counties and 51 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement cities.
Targeted Population
Very-low, low and moderate incomes.
Statutory Requirements for Participation by a Local Government
- Establish a Local Housing Assistance Program
- Submit a report of the local government’s affordable housing programs and accomplishments
Targeting of Funds
- A minimum of 65% of funds must be spent on eligible home ownership activities.
- A minimum of 75% of funds must be spent on eligible construction activities.
- At least 30% of the funds must be reserved for very-low income households (up to 50% of median income).
- An additional 30% of the funds may be reserved for low-income households (up to 80% of median income).
- Up to 40% of the remaining funds may be reserved for moderate-income households (up to 120% of median income).
- At least 20% of the funds must be reserved for households with special needs.
- No more than 10% of SHIP funds may be used for administrative expenses.
Eligible Housing
SHIP funds may not be used to assist mobile homes or manufactured housing; however, manufactured buildings with the Department of Community Affairs insignia are permitted.
Maximum Purchase Price or Value
Must not exceed 90% of the Average Area Purchase Price established by the U.S. Department of Treasury or determined by the most recent 12-month period for which sufficient statistical information is available.
Loan Terms
Local governments provide assistance in the form of grants, deferred payment loans, or direct loans. The terms are locally established for owner occupied housing. Local governments must provide for recapture of funds in the event that the household receiving assistance ceases to occupy the unit. For rental units, the owner must agree to set aside the units for affordable housing for 15 years.
Housing Strategies
The Statute requires the program provide the maximum flexibility to local governments to determine the use of SHIP program funds. Some of the strategies developed by local governments include:
- Down Payment Assistance
- Purchase Assistance
- Housing Rehabilitation / Repair
- Foreclosure Intervention
- New Construction
- Disaster Mitigation/Recovery
Unit Production
The SHIP Program has assisted in the development or preservation of approximately 94,000 units with approximately $676 Million in expended funds.
SHIP Information
More SHIP information may be found at www.floridahousing.