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About Community Development Grants for SHIP Funding

Published

Dec 3, 2024

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State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)

Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. The program was designed to serve very low-, low- and moderate-income families.

SHIP funds are distributed on an entitlement basis to all 67 counties and 55 Community Development Block Grant entitlement cities in Florida. Funding for this program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act. Funds are allocated to local governments on a population-based formula.

A minimum of 65 percent of the funds must be spent on eligible homeownership activities; a minimum of 75 percent of funds must be spent on eligible construction activities; at least 30 percent of the funds must be reserved for very-low income households (up to 50 percent of the area median income or AMI); an additional 30 percent must be reserved for low income households (up to 80 percent of AMI); and the remaining funds may be reserved for households up to 140 percent of AMI. No more than 10 percent of SHIP funds may be used for administrative expenses.

Services provided to income-eligible residents:

  • Down payment assistance for the purchase of a home to first-time buyers.
  • Substantial Rehabilitation to address code-related, health and safety-related repairs.
  • Demolition and replacement of dilapidated homes for existing homeowners when the rehabilitation efforts exceed allowable assistance amount.
  • Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) which is charged with the annual review of Manatee County’s Land
  • Development Code and Comprehensive Plan Housing Element to identify barriers to the creation and development of affordable housing.
  • Development and implementation of Manatee County’s Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP).
  • Funding for non-profits to administer the First Time Homebuyer Education classes. 

Reports and Plans

Contact us for more information 941-749-3030.