SHIP

Announcements:

Florida Hardest-Hit Program
The federal government has allocated funding to help pay the mortgages of qualified homeowners who are unemployed or underemployed through no fault of their own. The Florida Hardest-Hit Fund (HHF) program aims to assist qualified Florida homeowners by providing mortgage assistance for up to six (6) months (capped at $12,000), or until the homeowner finds adequate employment to resume paying the mortgage (whichever comes first).

HHF assistance is paid directly to the loan servicer/lender for those homeowners deemed eligible to participate in the program.

To find out if you qualify for assistance, please visit the HHF official website at www.FLHardestHitHelp.org to review eligibility criteria and to apply; please use Referral Code 25071 when completing your application. For further questions, contact the Hardest-Hit Toll-Free Information line at 1-(877) 863-5244, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Clay County SHIP Program is an approved HHF Advisor Agency. After reviewing HHF program benefits/guidelines and eligibility criteria on the official HHF website, you may contact us for a pre-screening at 904-278-4700/904-278-4786 fax/holly.maclean@co.clay.fl.us.

Attention First Time Homebuyers:  
Effective October 7, 2010 the interest rate for the Clay County Bond Program Single Family First Mortgage Program is 3.9%.  Further information is available on the above link.

Homeownership Opportunities
Working with the Neighborhood Housing and Development Corporation of Gainesville (NHDC), Clay County is facilitating the purchase of foreclosed homes, their renovation and sale to income-eligible families and individuals at the cost of acquisition and renovation or their appraised value (whichever is less). The properties are located in several areas of Clay County, are mostly newer construction, and will be made available for sale as renovations are completed.  The price range of the renovated properties is expected to be between $90,000 and $150,000.  All homes will be ‘Move In” ready with new Energy Star appliances, new paint and flooring, and any necessary repairs completed. More information and the application is available on the SHIP website or at www.gnhdc.org.

The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program intent is to provide local governments with the necessary funds to create housing programs to assist its income eligible citizens. Clay County SHIP has successfully upgraded the quality of living standards by providing safe, decent, improved and affordable housing for the county's elderly, special needs, and income eligible families.

Over the years our partners have included:

1) Clay County Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
2) Clay County School Board
3) Clay County Behavioral Health Center
4) Quigley House
5) Baptist Association for Special Children and Adults (BASCA)
6) Challenge Enterprises, Inc.

These partnerships have proven to be very successful in providing temporary and permanent housing assistance for those with special needs, the elderly and very low income person.

SHIP's assistance programs provided: 1) assistance for first time homebuyers, 2) assistance for homeowners whose homes are in need of repairs, and 3) assistance for the elderly and special needs persons through partnerships with non-profit organizations who assist the elderly and the special needs community.

Information & Guidelines

The Clay County Board of County Commissioners established the plans to increase the availability of affordable housing in Clay County. Availability of affordable housing includes homeowner rehabilitation programs, purchase assistance programs and partnerships with non-profit organizations assisting those with "special needs" housing.

Qualification for all SHIP assistance programs is based on gross household income according to family size as established by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Those applicants with incomes in the very-low or low classification will be given preference over those applicants whose income is classified as moderate income. All houses  must be located in Clay County. SHIP rules prohibit funds being used to purchase, rehabilitate, or repair mobile homes. All participants will be required to attend the SHIP eight hour Homebuyer Education class.

Clay County, its officers, staff and agents disclose that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis or race, creed, color, age, sex, familial status, marital status, national origin or handicap.

Clay County is a Fair Housing Advocate (Ordinance # 95-12). If you feel you have been discriminated against, you may file a housing discrimination complaint at:  1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY) or locally, Barbara Taylor, SHIP Coordinator at (904) 278-4700.

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