Palm Beach County Resources

SHIP Purchase Assistance

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

Application Launch Date: Monday, May 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm

MAXIMUM AWARD: $100,000

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Purchase Assistance Program funding will provide income eligible applicants/households assistance to acquire their first home (including acquisition, new construction, down payment and closing costs) that will be used as their primary place of residence.

Household Size and Eligible Income Categories to be served:

Number of Persons in Household

Moderate Income

(140%)

(Less than or Equal to)

 

 
1 $105,000
2 $119,980
3 $134,960
4 $149,940
5 $161,980
6 $174,020

 

The online application portal will open on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 12:00 pm, and close on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 11:59 pm (or until 100 applications have been submitted).  Applications must be submitted online, and will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability. All financial assistance will be in the form of a deferred loan secured by a recorded Mortgage, Promissory Note and Declaration of Restrictions. 


Required Documents - At the time of application submittal, the following documents must be provided:

  • Copy of U.S. Birth Certificates or valid U.S. Passport or Naturalization Certificate for ALL household members. 
  • For all Non-U.S. Citizen household members provide a copy of a valid Permanent Resident Card

    NOTE: ALL Applicants are required to have a First Mortgage Loan approval from a lender before applying​

    Additional Information: 

    Funds will be awarded as a 0% interest deferred payment loan secured by a recorded Mortgage, 

  • Promissory Note and Declaration of Restriction for 30 years.  The loan is forgiven at the end of the 30-year term.​

  • The property's purchase price cannot exceed $568,557

  • Applicant(s) cannot currently own a home

  • First Time Homebuyer under the HUD definition: An individual who has no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period 

  • ending on the date of purchase of the property. This provision is limited to a spouse (if either meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers). 

  • A single parent who has only owned with a former spouse while married. An individual who is a displaced homemaker and has only owned with a spouse.

  • An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations. 

  • An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or model building codes and which cannot be brought into compliance for

  • less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.​

  • ​Applicant may not currently own or have liquid assets exceeding $200,000, and/or combination of liquid and non-liquid assets

  • exceeding the current purchase price limit (excluding their primary residence). ​

    •  PRE-APPLICATION ORIENTATION:  Before submitting an application, applicants may attend one of the Virtual Pre-Application Orientations listed below:

    Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 10:00 am

    Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 12:30 pm

    Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 4:00 pm

    Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 3:30 pm

     The Virtual Pre-Application Orientation Meeting WebEx link is:

    https://pbc-gov.webex.com/pbc-gov/j.php?MTID=m7b96bd0e0e0c448a96ea90d4daee6bd0

    Meeting Number: 2318 765 2947

    Password: nXfgnuFT663

    (OR) Dial (904)-900-2303 or (844) 621-3956 (Toll Free) to join by phone

     In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in the business,

    community and/or housing programs through our online application portal, may notify the Department of Housing and Economic Development (DHED), Mortgage and Housing Investments Division at (561) 233-3600 or via email at HEDVerify@pbc.gov, five (5) business days prior to the opening of the application portal.  

    This document may be requested in an alternate format, to help facilitate your process of applying through the online portal.  If you are unable to find assistance to 

    apply through the online portal, we can provide a list of agencies who may be able to help (charges from that agency may apply). Contact DHED for more information and the process.

    For additional information, please contact:

    Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED)

    Mortgage and Housing Investments Division

    100 Australian Avenue, 5th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL  33406

    Telephone: (561) 233-3600 Receptionist or Antoinette Prescott (561) 233-3606 or Rommel Sankhi (561) 233-3693

    Email: HEDVerify@pbc.gov ​

    Accessibility Statement:  https://discover.pbcgov.org/Pages/Accessibility-Statement-Resources.aspx​

     

    Palm Beach County Workforce Housing Program

    ​​​​​​​​​​What is the Workforce Housing Program?

    The Workforce Housing Program (WHP), established in the County's Comprehensive Plan, is intended to increase housing opportunities for persons employed in Palm Beach County jobs that help keep the community viable. The WHP applies to all developments with a residential component of 10 or more units in the Urban/Suburban Tier of the unincorporated County, and in other areas where required by a project's conditions of approval. The code governing the Workforce Housing Program can be viewed here: http://www.pbcgov.com/uldc/pdf/Article5.pdf and additional information is available through the links below.

     

    Helpful Links

     Affordable Housing Palm Beach County

    Palm Beach NSP Program Information
    Florida Housing Bond Program
    Florida Housing Homebuyer Wizard
    NSP Foreclosed Homes for Sale (Palm Beach)
    FHLB Homebuyer Program
    Home Steps Freddie Mac
    Home Path Fannie Mae
    First Look Fannie Mae
    Palm Beach Housing Finance Authority
    Down Payment Assistance-Individual Cities (Palm Beach)

    Down Payment Grants

    There are many down payment grants and housing assistance resources available.Check-out the list below to find the right program for you!

    Palm Beach NSP Program Information
    Palm Beach Housing and Community Development
    Affordable Housing in Palm Beach County
    Palm Beach Housing Finance Authority
    Housing and Community Development Programs
    Workforce Housing Information
    Housing and Community Development FAQs
    Government Grants
    Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-Learn about homeownership from HUD

    Property Appraisals

    An appraisal helps to establish a property's market value - the likely sales price it would bring if offered in an open and competitive real estate market.

    Palm Beach Property Appraiser

    Property Taxes

    Property taxes are the amount of taxes due on real estate or property, in which an owner is required to pay on the value of that particular property. The Palm Beach County Real Estate Property Tax Collector contact information is below.

    Palm Beach County Tax Collector

    Utilities

    Helpful links for transferring or connecting your water/sewer and power utilities.

    Palm Beach Water/Sewer Utilities Account Information
    Palm Beach Water/Sewer Utilities FAQs
    Palm Beach Power Utilities-Florida Power & Light Company