Affordable housing improves the economic health of a community. Aside from the legal obligation to provide housing for the entire current and anticipated population, every local government in Florida should provide a mix of housing so that it can continue to grow economically. When new industries evaluate a prospective community, one of the factors they consider is whether adequate workforce housing is available. New industries provide jobs and a substantial ad valorem tax base. To attract new industry and raise the ad valorem tax base of a community through the development of nonresidential properties, there must be an adequate inventory of affordable housing.

For hardworking families and individuals, housing affordability is particularly crucial in an area like Okeechobee County. We need our emergency responders, nurses and teaching professionals to have a place to call home in the community where they work. This not only helps them and their families but, ultimately, it benefits all who live here.

One option in Okeechobee County is the SHIP program, which can provide down payment assistance, funds for rehabilitation, and emergency repairs.  Please see the SHIP subpage for more information or contact the Affordable Housing and SHIP Coordinator.

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

Office: (863) 824-3078 
Fax: (863) 763-0662