Down Payment Assistance Program

Introduction:
The S.H.I.P (State Housing Initiative Partnership) Program - The State of Florida has developed several proactive initiatives to encourage the provision of affordable housing at the local level. One such initiative is the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program, which was created by the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act of 1992. The act establishes a dedicated revenue source to be used by local governments and municipalities to create affordable housing opportunities.

Orange County Down Payment Assistance Program:
The purpose of Orange County's Down Payment Assistance program is to provide funds to qualified first time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs associated with purchasing a home. The program will provide assistance to qualified very low, low and moderate income persons in Orange County on a first come, first ready basis. The program also requires that potential homebuyers complete a pre-purchase and post-purchase education program.

http://www.orangecountyfl.net/cms/dept/growth/housing/programs/afford.htm
Follow the link above for detailed information including: DPA program overview, application, lender package, guidelines, etc.

Lake County Down Payment Assistance Program:
Lake County offers assistance to help low and moderate income households purchase homes. The program is funded through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP). The funds can be used for down payments, closing costs and mortgage buydowns for new homes, or for existing homes that have been or will be repaired within twelve months of transfer of title. The maximum purchase price for new and existing homes is $247,387. Up to $5,000 of the assistance can be used for repairs to existing homes. Extremely low, very low and low income households purchasing newly constructed homes will also be eligible for partial impact fee waivers. The amount of SHIP assistance available varies by income category.

http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/community_services/housing_services/home_ownership_assistance.aspx
Follow the link above for detailed information including: DPA program overview, application, lender package, guidelines, etc. 

Seminole County Down Payment Assistance Program:
Dear Interested Applicant: The Community Development S.H.I.P. Purchase Assistance Program is no longer accepting applications. Sufficient applications have been received to encumber all funds for the program. We look forward to serving you once new grant monies are established.
Sincerely, Community Assistance, A Division of Community Services

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/commsrvs/commdev/ship.asp
Follow the link above for detailed information including: DPA program overview, application, lender package, guidelines, etc. 

Osceola County Down Payment Assistance Program:
SHIP Down-Payment Assistance Application period will begin TBD. In order to obtain an
application for assistance, the following requirements must be met:

•12hr - First Time Homebuyer's Education Certificate (provided by Osceola County Extension Services)
•Current Pre-approval Letter from one of Osceola County's Participating Lenders (no more then 60 days old) Applications can be obtained in person at the Osceola County Human Services Division, located at 108 Park Place Blvd., Kissimmee, FL 34741 or here online when available.   Applications must be hand-delivered to the office with the attached requirements. Have questions? Contact us at 407-742-8400.

The Osceola County housing assistance program is designed to make affordable housing available to citizens with an income that is classified as moderate or lower. The number of moderate funding is limited to funding restrictions.

The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (S.H.I.P.) program provides funding to local governments to assist citizens to become homeowners. Eligible first-time homebuyers will receive financial assistance to help with the costs of buying a home.  For more information on this program, please click the link below.

S.H.I.P. partners in Osceola County include lending institutions, housing developers, community based housing, service organizations and affordable housing professionals. Applications are processed on a first-come, first ready, first served basis. Maximum financial assistance is:
•Very low income = $36,000.00
•Low income = $26,000.00
•Moderate = $16,000.00

http://www.osceola.org/index.cfm?lsFuses=department/Housing/21002
Follow the link above for detailed information including: DPA program overview, application, lender package, guidelines, etc. 

For more information on any of the Downpayment Assistance Programs (SHIP) throughout the Central Florida area, or if you would like direct assistance in applying for a program, please complete the form below and one of our staff members will contact you shortly. And remember...if you don't have a dream, you can't have a dream come true!!!