State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP)

Down Payment Housing Assistance - The SHIP program assists income eligible applicants who would like to purchase a home in 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.

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 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.)
• Applicants must be able to contribute at least $500 towards home ownership. (Note: Lenders may require additional funds.)
• Applicants must purchase a home in St. Lucie County.
• Applicants must be first time homebuyers or not have owned a home in the last 3 years

Applicants must not enter into any purchase contracts prior to being found eligible for the program. 

Homebuyer's Workshop

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. 

Rehabilitation Assistance

The Rehabilitation Program provides financial assistance for repairs to income eligible families in owner-occupied homes in St. Lucie County. 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. Any situation that endangers the health and/or safety of the family will be considered an emergency and will be responded to as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 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 or refinance, the loan becomes due immediately.

Can I repair/rehab my mobile home?

Mobile homes do not qualify for assistance under this program.

Do I need to have good credit to get assistance?

Applicants do not need good credit to apply. However if your home is in foreclosure, if a bankruptcy action affecting the home has been filed,or if you are behind on your home loan payment, funding may be delayed until the payments are brought current.

Will I be allowed to refinance if I receive housing assistance?

If you receive any type of assistance, a mortgage will be placed on your property and the county must approve of any refinancing that is considered. The county's current policy allows  for refinancing (subordination of our mortgage), if your household will benefit with an interest rate and/or housing payment reduction that is sufficient to offset the costs of refinancing. You may not receive any funds (cash out) in the transaction, but the county may approve funds paid directly to a contractor for home mprovements. In general, the county will require that its original mortgage position be maintained and that tax and insurance payments be escrowed. This policy is subject to change at anytime.

Can I apply for assistance more than once?

Households may qualify for additional funding under the same strategy after the forgiveness period has ended and/or the remaining balance is "due on sale." Clients may qualify for additional funds in the same strategy only if the total of all funds received and to be received does not exceed the maximun allowed for the same strategy in the current program year in accordance with the household's current income level. If a household does qualify for additional funds, the unpaid balance of the previous loan will be added to the new funding and forgiven and/or repaid according to the current program guidelines. Assistance for payment of the water/sewer assessment is limited to one property per household. 

How can I apply?

Applications are available 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. 

 

NOTICE

Applications are made available as funding permits and the application cycle may end as funds run out.

Down payment applicants must have their pre-qualification letter, prior to contacting the office for an appointment.

Completed applications are accepted by appointment only, please have all documents reqired at time of appointment.

Please do not mail in your application, drop it off, or have information submitted to our office until your application has been taken.

For more information please contact the St. Lucie County Housing and Community Services Division at: 
 
 437  North 7th Street
Fort Pierce, Florida 34950

Ph: (772) 462-1777

Fax: (772) 462-2855

Email: comm_info@stlucieco.org
 
All information included in these pages is subject to change and/or revision without notice.