The Florida Housing Finance Corporation administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments to preserve affordable homeownership. 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 53 Community Development Block Grant cities in Florida. Funding for this program was established by the William E. Sadowski Act. Funds are allocated to local governments on a population-based formula and are derived from the collection of documentary stamp tax. Total actual disbursements are dependent upon actual documentary stamp collections.

The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program is a grant from the Florida Finance Corporation to provide purchase assistance, emergency repair, and rehabilitation programs for eligible Okeechobee residents.  With SHIP assistance, local home owners have been able to repair or replace leaking roofs, damaged septic tanks, failed HVAC systems and more.

First time home-buyers (buyers who have not owned a home in the County within the past 3 years) have been able to receive down payment and closing cost assistance to make purchasing a home both possible and affordable. 

In order to qualify for SHIP assistance, residents must meet very-low, low, and moderate income limits, and abide by the guidelines established in the Local Housing Assistance Plan.

Okeechobee residents interested in purchasing or repairing a home should contact the SHIP Coordinator for more information.

Lacy Granados, Affordable Housing Coordinator/SHIP 
Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners
1700 NW 9th Street, Ste C
Okeechobee, Florida 34972
Email: lgranados@okeechobeecountyfl.gov