State Housing Initiative Program

SHIP Purchase Assistance/Down Payment Assistance

The purchase Assistance program provides first-time homebuyers that are at or below 120% of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area with an interest fee deferred forgivable loan that may be applied towards, down payment, closing, costs, and principal reduction for eligible housing.

Eligible housing can be existing, new construction, or housing that needs rehabilitation. Hernando County is partnering with Hernando County Housing Authority to administer this strategy, but applications will be available online and at the Housing and Supportive Services Department located at 621 W. Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601

Hernando County Down Payment Assistance Application 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which properties are eligible for assistance?

Homes available for assistance include single-family, condominiums and townhomes that are located within Hernando County. Purchase price may not exceed 90% of the average area purchase price.

Which properties are not available for assistance?

Mobile or manufactured homes; property located within a special flood hazard area or repetitive loss area; property that has experienced a sinkhole or other ground settlement activity, including remediated or stabilized properties.

What is the definition of a 1st Time Homebuyer?

An individual who has had no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property.

What dollar amount can be provided for assistance?

The maximum award if $50,000 and is determined by a percentage of the purchase price of the home, income level and if there will be rehab required to bring the home up to the current building code.

How do I apply?

The Hernando County Housing Authority accepts applications from applicants with a pre-approval from a reputable mortgage lender/financial institution. Add Address and Contact Phone Number?

Is this a loan or a grant?

The amount of DPA provided to a homebuyer will be secured by a second mortgage and note on the property. The note is forgiven at the end of the term as long as the loan is not in default.

What would constitute a default on the loan?

Loans are considered in default and repayable if the home is sold, transferred, foreclosed upon, or ceases to be the recipient's primary residence.

SHIP Owner Occupied Rehab

The Owner-Occupied Rehab program is managed by Hernando County Housing and Supportive Services Department. The program objective is to improve the living conditions of income qualified homeowners by removing health and safety hazards and by correcting code violations, provide effective energy conserving features and make handicap accessibility improvements. The program provides up to $90,000 in a forgivable loan to assist income qualified property owners. The loan is forgiven if the home remains owner-occupied but will be required to be paid back if the home is sold, title is transferred, foreclosed upon, or ceases to be the recipient's primary residence.

Application will be available online and at the Housing and Supportive Services Department located at 621 W. Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Hernando County Homeowner Rehab Application 2025

Who is eligible to apply?

Homeowners that do not exceed the income limits, the home must be the primary residence and homesteaded, property taxes and mortgage must be current.

Do I have to pay these funds back?

The loan is considered in default and payable if the home is sold, transferred, foreclosed upon, or ceases to be the recipient's primary residence. If the homeowner dies during the loan term, the loan may be assumed by a SHIP eligible heir who will occupy the home as a primary residence.

What are eligible homes?

Single-family homes, townhomes, condominium unit and duplexes. Mobile and manufactured homes are not eligible at this time. Home value cannot exceed 90% of the current average area purchase price after improvements have been made.

How do I apply?

Applications are available online and at the Housing and Supportive Services Department located at 621 W. Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Hurricane Idalia Housing Repair Program

Hurricane Idalia Disaster Recovery Funding is now available for income eligible owner-occupied residences for those citizens that have suffered loss or damage of their primary residence due to the storm. Funds will be used to reimburse homeowners payments of insurance deductibles covered under homeowners' insurance policies and to assist with unmet home repair needs including roof replacements/repair.

State Application will be available online and at the Housing and Supportive Services Department located at 621 W. Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601

Homeowner HHRP Idalia Application

Who is eligible to apply?

Income Qualified residents with loss or damage of their primary residence due to the impact of Hurricane Idalia.

What assistance is available?

Home Repairs or the Reimbursement of Homeowners Insurance or Flood Insurance deductibles.

Emergency Repair

Emergency Repair program will provide assistance to income eligible homeowners to make emergency repairs to remove health and safety hazards and correct code violations. Repairs that may be provided are roof replacements, septic tank repairs, HVAC replacement, electrical hazards, removal of hazards.

Applications are available online and at the Housing and Supportive Services Department located at 621 W. Jefferson Street, Brooksville, FL 34601.

Hernando County Emergency Repair Application 2025

Disaster Assistance

The Disaster Strategy provides assistance to households following a disaster as declared by Executive Order of the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of Florida. This strategy will only be implemented in the event of a disaster using any funds that have not yet been encumbered or additional disaster funds issued by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. SHIP disaster funds may be used for items such as, but not limited to:

1. Purchase of emergency supplies for eligible households to weatherproof damaged homes.

2. Interim repairs to avoid further damage; tree and debris removal required to make the individual housing unit habitable.

3. Construction of wells or repair of existing wells where public water is not available.

4. Payment of insurance deductibles for rehabilitation of homes covered under homeowner’s insurance policies.

5. Temporary rental assistance for renter household that have experienced a temporary financial hardship that results in missed rental payments and in danger of being evicted.

6. A self-certification streamlined verification of income, assets, etc. may be use in determining household eligibility.

Disaster Application

Important Links

Contractor Application SHIP

2024 Income Limit by Number of Persons in Household:

	Percent of AMI	Number of Persons in Household
	Percent of AMI	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Extremely Low Income	30 %	$21,950	$25,050	$28,200	$32,150	$37,650	$43,150	$48,650	$54,150
Very Low Income	50%	$36,500	$41,700	$46,950	$52,150	$56,350	$60,500	$64,700	$68,850
Low Income	80%	$58,450	$66,800	$75,150	$83,450	$90,150	$96,850	$103,500	$110,200
Moderate Income	120%	$87,600	$100,080	$112,680	$125,160	$135,240	$145,200	$155,280	$165,240

Hernando County Government Main Line
(352) 754-4000