Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing Affordability topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Okaloosa County amends SHIP plan to restart down-payment aid, raises maximum to $65,000
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the county's Local Housing Assistance Plan to resume down-payment assistance under the state SHIP program, increase the maximum award to $65,000, change the forgiveness schedule and add eligible uses and rehab safeguards.
Okaloosa County commissioners on Feb. 4 approved amendments to the county's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) to restart a state-funded down-payment assistance program and expand eligible uses of funds. The change increases the maximum award to $65,000, revises the loan forgiveness schedule, requires certified home inspections for rehab, and adds closing costs, mortgage buy-downs, principal reduction and energy-efficiency upgrades as eligible uses.
The county uses funding from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program to support affordable homeownership and rehabilitation. County staff said the state has resumed more substantial SHIP funding in recent years, making it feasible to relaunch the down-payment program after a decade-long pause.
"The last several years, the state has been providing significant funds to SHIP, and so it is time to start reinitiating this program," County staff member Camper said, summarizing the recommended changes. Camper said the amendment raises the maximum award from $30,000 to $65,000 and changes forgiveness so there is no forgiveness in years 1'4; starting in year 5 there is a 50% reduction, then a 10% reduction each year until total forgiveness at year 10.
Brittany Orr of the county housing department told commissioners the LHAP changes also add a required certified home inspection when rehabilitation is needed and set a $5,000 minimum for rehab work drawn from these funds. County staff said those limits are intended to ensure SHIP funds are used for substantial repairs and to satisfy state set-aside requirements that favor construction and homeownership outcomes.
Commissioners debated program priorities and oversight. Commissioner [name in transcript: Goodwin] said he supports the changes but asked for follow-up reporting to the board so commissioners can monitor demand and ensure the program remains sustainable. Commissioner Cox and others emphasized the importance of serving owner-occupied rehabilitation cases as well as down-payment applicants.
The county noted a prior joint LHAP with the city of Fort Walton Beach; staff reported Fort Walton Beach approved the same amendments Dec. 17, 2024. Commissioners approved the LHAP amendment by voice vote; the record shows unanimous support.
The county said staff will return with periodic updates—staff suggested briefing the board when the program has encumbered roughly $250,000 to show eligibility patterns, usage and program outcomes.
Votes at a glance: The LHAP amendment to resume down-payment assistance and change program rules was moved for approval by Commissioner Ketchler (mover recorded in the meeting transcript); a second was recorded; the board approved the amendment unanimously (vote tally: unanimous, individual roll-call not recorded in transcript).
