Funding available for housing assistance programs in Highlands County for FY 2023-2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE 
HIGHLANDS COUNTY
STATE HOUSING INITIATIVES PARTNERSHIP (SHIP)
 
Highlands County State Housing Initiatives Partnership announces funding availability for the thirty-first program year (FY 2023-2024) and for activities approved by the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners pursuant to Florida Statutes Sections 420.907-420.9098: Local Housing Assistance Program, sub-section 2(2), the adopted Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) and Ordinance 93-11. Highlands County has received $1,210,906.00 (not including earned interest) from the State of Florida for the thirty-first year of the Highlands County SHIP program. 20% of the allocation must serve persons with special needs, with priority for persons with developmental disabilities.
The Income Maximums range from $16,100 for an extremely low-income family of one to $121,440 for a Moderate-income family of eight. All figures are adjusted by family size. The program will continue to receive applications on a continuous basis for affordable housing assistance for eligible residents of Highlands County. The following home ownership strategies include: Down Payment Assistance with and without Rehabilitation, Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation, Emergency Home Repair, Foreclosure Prevention, and Construction and Redevelopment/Home Ownership. Rental strategies include: Multi-family Rental Development and Rental Assistance. Disaster Assistance is available as funding is available.
 
Home Ownership: Down Payment Assistance with and without Rehabilitation: A maximum up to $40,000.00 will be awarded under this strategy to Extremely Low income (30% of median income), Very-Low income (50% of median income), and Low-income (80% of the median income). A maximum award of $20,000.00 will be awarded to Moderate-income families (120% of median income, adjusted for family size). The sales price or value of new or existing eligible housing may not exceed 90% of the average area purchase price in the statistical area in which the eligible housing is located. These funds may be used to purchase a newly constructed or existing home that meet minimum safety code standards. Manufactured homes built after June 1994 are eligible if the owner also owns the land that it is on. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $225,000.00.
 
Rehabilitation: Owner Occupied Home Repair Program: The maximum assistance is $100,000.00 per home (excluding mobile/manufactured homes) for Extremely Low, Very-Low and Low- income families. Mobile or manufactured homes are not eligible for SHIP rehabilitation funds but can be considered for a replacement home if the applicant owns the property in which the manufactured home is located. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $184,815.40.
 
Emergency Home Repair Program: The maximum assistance is $30,000.00 per home (excluding mobile/manufactured homes) for Extremely Low, Very-Low, and Low-income families. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $30,000.00.
 
Foreclosure Prevention Program: This strategy provides foreclosure intervention assistance to Highlands County homeowners. This is a one-time household assistance strategy and may not be combined with other foreclosure assistance programs. Assistance is available for manufactured homes built after 1994 if the applicant owns the land the manufactured home is on. The maximum award amount is $10,000 for Very-low, Low- and Moderate-income families. SHIP will pay for an inspection to confirm whether the home is properly affixed to the ground and may pay to connect to the ground if it is not. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $50,000.00.
 
Disaster Assistance Program: When funding is available. This program provides a maximum of $25,000 with rental assistance not to exceed $10,000 for providing housing assistance to families in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Funds for disaster assistance will only be allocated from unencumbered funds or additional funds awarded through Florida Housing Finance Corporation for the disaster.
 
Construction and Redevelopment/Home Ownership: A maximum up to $100,000 per unit will be awarded under this strategy to non-profit developers of affordable housing. A maximum award amount of $30,000 for Extremely-low and Very-Low income families, $20,000.00 for low-income, and $10,000 for moderate income families. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $300,000.00.
 
Demolition and Reconstruction/Replacement: A maximum up to $150,000.00 will be awarded under this strategy to homeowners to replace uninhabitable, dilapidated structures or structures which cannot be rehabilitated according to Florida Building Code. Manufactured homes are eligible for this strategy. The amount of funds that are available for this strategy is $150,000.00.
 
Rental Development: Multi-Family Rental Housing Development: A maximum up to $75,000.00 per unit up to $150,000.00 per project will be awarded to developers of affordable housing. For for-profit developers, funds will be awarded as a loan secured by a recorded subordinate mortgage and note. For not-for-profit developers, funds will be awarded as a forgivable loan. Targeted income categories are: Very-Low, low, and Moderate-income families. Developers will be required to meet compliance requirements on the development necessary to meet the statutory requirements for monitoring of SHIP rental units. This funding is intended to be used as a gap financing required for the project.
 
Rental Assistance Program: This strategy provides individuals or families to obtain quality, safe and affordable rental housing. A maximum up to $10,000.00 will be awarded as a grant. Funds may be used to assist in security and utility deposit assistance; first months rent, eviction prevention/rental assistance (up to 3 months), and/or rapid rehousing assistance (up to 6 months).
 
The remaining funds for the thirty-first program year will be spent for the administration of this program. It is anticipated that $121,090.60 will be available for administrative costs.
 
This is a thirty-day public notice. If no objections are received, applications will be received after April 6, 2026 for the thirty-first program year. Applications will be accepted until program funds have been expended. Anyone interested in receiving assistance may call (863) 402-6648 for details of the above strategies or visit the website at
https://www.highlandsfl.gov/
community_programs/housing
 
Any person who may wish to appeal any decision of a Highlands County Board of County Commissioners meeting, in public sessions or public hearings, is hereby advised that he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purposes, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made which will include testimony and evidence upon which such appeal is to be based. At the request of any party to the proceedings, individuals testifying during the hearing will be sworn in. Upon request, any party to the proceedings will be granted an opportunity to cross-examine any individual testifying during the hearing. If anyone has any questions concerning the SHIP program or this public announcement, please contact Ingra A. Gardner, Director, Community Programs at (863) 402-6510.
 
Signed:  /s/  Ingra A. Gardner
Ingra A. Gardner
Director, Community Programs
March 6, 2026