On July 7, 1992, the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act (the “Act”) was signed into law, establishing a comprehensive funding framework for state and local affordable housing programs. Pursuant to the Act, Clay County SHIP Program has adopted a State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for fiscal years 2025-2026, 2026-2027, and 2027-2028. The projected distribution of SHIP funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 is approximately $1,666,179.00. SHIP funds may be expended for the LHAP strategies (“strategy” or “strategies”) identified below and distributed to qualified applicants on a competitive or non-competitive basis, as applicable to each strategy and subject to available funding and appropriations. The inclusion of a strategy in the LHAP or below does not guarantee that funding will be allocated or made available for that strategy during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. To be eligible for funding under an available strategy, an applicant’s income must not exceed the applicable income limits for that strategy, which may include one or more of the following income categories: Extremely Low (30% of Median Income), Very Low (50% of Median Income), Low (80% of Median Income), and/or Moderate (120% of Median Income).
Application Period begins November 1, 2026. Applications will be processed in the order received on a “First Qualified, First Served” basis, subject to the availability of funding for the applicable strategy. Applications will be accepted until all available funding for the applicable strategy has been committed or otherwise distributed. A waiting list may be established for eligible applicants when funding for a particular strategy is no longer available. For questions regarding the application process, including instructions for submitting an application and information regarding applicable terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements, please contact the Clay County SHIP Program (“SHIP Program”). The SHIP Program is located at 435 Walburg Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida, and may be reached by telephone at (904) 278-4700 or (904) 529-4700. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
STRATEGIES:
OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION
Funds in this strategy may be used to assist qualified homeowners whose houses are in need of repairs. Repairs will be determined by the SHIP Program Coordinator. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $49,999.99 per house. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred repayment.
PURCHASE ASSISTANCE/DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE
Funds in this strategy may be used for qualified persons in need of down payment and/or closing costs assistance to purchase a new or existing home. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Very Low, Low and Moderate categories up to 140% of AMI. The sales price or value of the home may not exceed $359,263.00. The maximum award under this strategy is up to $30,000.00. Funds for this program are contingent upon budget appropriation and must be used in conjunction with another first time homebuyer program. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred repayment.
DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide emergency repairs to victims of a natural disaster as declared by State or Federal Executive Order. Funds may be used for items such as, but not limited to, purchase of emergency supplies to weatherproof damaged eligible homes, interim repairs to avoid further damage, tree and debris removal, construction/repair of wells where public water is not available, and soft costs required to process assistance applications. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, Low and Moderate categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $10,000.00. These funds are made as a grant.
SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING (Non-Profit)
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding to a not-for-profit entity for the purchase of new construction or existing housing and the rehabilitation of or additions to existing housing used for special needs housing groups. Households to be served are Special Needs as defined in Section 420.004(13), Florida Statutes and Homeless as defined in Section 420.621, Florida Statutes. This strategy will provide funding for the purchase of generators or any other special use equipment required to maintain a group home. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low or Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred payment, and if eligible can be forgiven after ten years.
EVICTION PREVENTION
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding to renter households in need of assistance for eviction prevention. Funds are available to pay past due rent, late fees, and additional future rent for a period not to exceed six months total. Rental Payments will not exceed the Rent Limit Chart published by HUD annually. Applicants must be participating in a program sponsored by an agency or not-for-profit group who has been selected to participate in this strategy and whose mission is to prevent eviction and homelessness, to promote housing stability and self-sufficiency. Assistance will be awarded through a Sponsor to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low or Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $10,000.00. These funds are made as a grant.
RENT SUBSIDIES/RAPID REHOUSING
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding for (1) first and last month’s rent, security and utility deposit assistance and (2) rent subsidies that can be paid for up to 12 months. To be eligible for rent subsidies, the household receiving assistance must have at least one adult who is a person with special needs or be homeless. Rental assistance will not exceed 12 months. Applicants must be participating in a program sponsored by an agency or not—for-profit group who has been selected to participate in this strategy and whose mission is to prevent homelessness, to promote housing stabilization and self-sufficiency. Assistance will be awarded through a Sponsor to applicants with income in the Extremely Low and Very Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $10,000.00. These funds are made as a grant.
DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION - HOME REPLACEMENT
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding for the replacement of an existing single family dwelling that has been determined not economically feasible to rehabilitate. This strategy will also provide for the replacement of mobile homes that are over 10 years in age with a single family dwelling. This strategy will only be available if the property is free and clear of any mortgage or debt. Assistance will be awarded to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, or Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00 per house. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred payment.
HOMES FOR DISABLED VETERANS
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding for new construction or to rehabilitate or retrofit an existing home for a veteran with a disability threshold of at least 60%. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, Low, or Moderate categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00 per house. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred payment and if eligible can be forgiven after ten years.
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION BY A NON-PROFIT DEVELOPER
Funds in this strategy may be provided to not-for-profit organizations/developers to be used to develop affordable housing for resale to eligible buyers/households in Clay County. The homes built by the not-for-profit will be purchased by persons with incomes in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy to the developer is $75,000.00 to be used towards the purchase of such house constructed by the developer. Funds provided to the developer will be secured by a Note and Mortgage with the possibility of forgiveness of the loan when the home is sold to an eligible homebuyer. Funds provided to a homebuyer under this strategy will be made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred payment to the homeowner, with the possibility of forgiveness of the loan. The maximum award under this strategy to the eligible homeowner is $75,000.00. An additional amount of up to $35,000.00 can be added to the award for a new well and septic system if required.
REPAIRS TO MOBILE HOMES
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide funding for certain eligible repairs to mobile homes owned by a qualified applicant. The homeowner must own the land under the mobile home, and the mobile home must not be older than ten years in age. Assistance will be awarded to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $49,999.00. These funds are made as a zero-interest loan with a deferred payment.
MANUFACTURED HOUSING (Mobile Homes)
Funds in this strategy may be used to provide relocation assistance to owners/tenants who have been evicted due to closure of a mobile home park in accordance with Section 723.003, Florida Statutes; lot rental assistance to owners of manufactured housing/mobile homes for a period not to exceed six months; or rehabilitation/emergency repairs. Relocation assistance and lot rental assistance will be provided as a grant. Rehabilitation/emergency repair assistance will be provided as a zero-interest loan that may be forgiven after ten years, subject to compliance with all applicable program requirements.
Clay County, its officers, staff, and agents disclose that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, familial status, marital status, national origin or handicap in the award application process.
Howard Wanamaker
County Manager
Theresa Sumner
SHIP Program Coordinator
Legal 212955 Published 8/27/2026 in Clay County's Clay Today newspaper
