State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP)
Down Payment Housing Assistance - The SHIP program assists income eligible applicants who would like to purchase a home in the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County and need assistance with down payment, closing costs, or minor repair issues. *Note: Repair(s) must be health, safety, or code compliance issues only.- Purchase of New Construction - A home constructed from the ground up or a home that has been built within the past twelve (12) months & never occupied. SHIP funds will assist with down payment, principal reduction, & closing costs.
- Purchase of an Existing Home - Existing site built homes that may/may not require rehabilitation. Work may need to be performed as part of the purchase transaction, or funds escrowed for needed repairs.
Eligibility - Applicants must meet these requirements:
- Households must be classified as very-low, low, or moderate income to be eligible. The income limits are subject to change every year.
- Applicants must be able to qualify for a home loan with a participating lender.*
- Applicants must be able to contribute at least $500 towards home ownership. (Note: Lenders may require additional funds.)
- Applicants must purchase a home in the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County (outside of the city limits for Fort Pierce & Port St Lucie).
- Applicants must be first time homebuyers or not have owned a home in the last 3 years
Please note that SLC determines award amounts on a case-by-case basis! Applicants must not assume that they will receive funds as implied by lenders, other recipients, etc. Applicants must not enter into any purchase contracts prior to being found eligible for the program.
All applicants are required to attend a Home Buyer's Educational Workshop. A copy of the attendance certificate must be provided with the application. The attendance certificate expires after one year from completion of the workshop. The workshops are hosted by Consumer Credit Counseling Service and are available on a monthly basis. CCCS can also help you with budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and more.
To Register Please Call:
1-866-616-3720 (English) or 1-800-330-CCCS
1-866-616-3719 (Spanish)
cccsinc.org
Lender:
The Housing Division requires all applicants to become pre-qualified for a mortgage with a participating member of the St. Lucie County Lending Consortium. Applicants may want to seek multiple approvals as lenders often differ in interest rates and loan amounts.
Rehabilitation Assistance
The Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance for repairs to very low and low income families in owner-occupied homes in the unincorporated areas of St. Lucie County who qualify under the program guidelines. This program is designed to correct code violations and/or health & safety violations only.
Emergency Repair funds are also available for qualified income households only. Emergency repairs may vary from a leaking roof, to faulty electrical wiring, or backed up plumbing. Any situation that endangers the health and/or safety of the family will be considered an emergency & will be responded to as quickly as possible.
To determine if a location is located in St. Lucie County, visit the Property Appraiser's website at: paslc.org - real estate section
How do I pay back the money?
Assistance received for either Down Payment Assistance or Rehabilitation is a loan that will need to be repaid. The loan is in the form of a zero percent (0%) thirty (30) year second mortgage to St. Lucie County. Payments will begin five (5) years after closing. The eligible applicant then must pay back St. Lucie County for the full amount provided. If a home is sold, the loan amount is due in full at the time of the closing. The unit must remain owner occupied. If the owner chooses to rent the property, the loan becomes due immediately.
How can I apply?
You may pick up the application at:
St. Lucie County Community Services Department - Housing Division
437 North 7th Street (Corner of Avenue D and North 7th Street)
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950.
Please note that applications are made available as funding permits and the application cycle may end as funds run out.
Down payment applicants must have their certificate & pre-qualification letter, as well as all other information required, prior to contacting the office for an appointment.
COMPLETED APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please do NOT mail in your application, drop it off, or have information submitted to our office until your application has been taken.
* Note: Homebuyers who are income eligible should not have a housing payment (Principal, interest, taxes and insurance) that exceeds 30% of their gross monthly household income.
**Unincorporated refers to the areas outside of the Cities of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie. For those who would like to purchase or who need to repair homes within the city limit, please contact the following:
|
Fort Pierce |
Port St. Lucie |
To Contact the St. Lucie County Community Services Housing Division:
Phone: 772-462-1290
Fax: 772-462-2855
Email: comm_info@stlucieco.org
St. Lucie County
Community Services Dpartment-Housing Division
437 North 7th Street
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950
All information included in these pages is subject to change and/or revision without notice.