Okaloosa County to Accept SHIP Applications July 1; Board Raised Maximum Homebuyer Award to $65,000

Okaloosa County staff announced that the county will begin accepting applications July 1 for State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funds for homeowner rehabilitation and a first-time homebuyer purchase-assistance program, and said the Board of County Commissioners increased the maximum purchase-assistance award to $65,000.

Paul, an Okaloosa County staff member, opened the announcement: "Hey. I'm Paul, and this is Bridal. And we are here to talk about some very exciting news." Bridal, an Okaloosa County housing staff member, described program details and eligibility.

The SHIP homeowner rehabilitation option covers repair work for income-eligible homeowners who have owned their homes for at least three years, Bridal said. "If someone owned their homes for 3 years, and let's say you have some work that needs to be done, like a roof repair, or you need a window, or a door, or maybe you have some HVAC issues, if you apply with the county, we can cover those costs for you," Bridal said. She added that the county will manage bids and contractors and that contractors used by the program are vetted and registered with the county.

Bridal also outlined a SHIP purchase-assistance program for first-time homebuyers that will begin accepting applications July 1. She said the program provides down-payment assistance to income-eligible buyers who work with one of the county's participating lenders. "Our board of county commissioners was gracious enough to increase the maximum award to $65,000," Bridal said. She described the application steps as obtaining preapproval from a participating lender and then applying with the county; if applicants qualify by income, they can access up to the stated maximum award.

Staff framed the programs as tools to expand access to homeownership and to preserve the county's existing housing stock. Bridal said the county will "have something in store" for developers, contractors, realtors and lenders and encouraged interested parties and residents to check the county website for program details and eligibility requirements. Paul noted there is "some fine print" and directed listeners to the website for specifics.

No vote or meeting motion on the SHIP program was presented in the announcement segment; staff referred to the Board of County Commissioners' prior decision to increase the maximum award but did not provide details of a vote or ordinance during the remarks. The announcement did not specify the total SHIP appropriation, how the county will allocate funds across applicants, or the identities of participating lenders; staff said those items and other program details are available on the county's website.

For more information, staff urged residents and housing partners to visit the Okaloosa County website and contact the county's housing office for application requirements and lists of participating lenders and contractors.