State Housing Iniative Program (SHIP)

The Okaloosa Community Development Corp. is under contract to Okaloosa County to administer the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP). The program is designed to serve very low, low and moderate income families. 

 

SHIP funds are distributed by the State on an entitlement basis. In order to participate, local governments must establish a local housing assistance program by ordinance and develop a local housing assistance plan.

 

SHIP dollars may be used to fund emergency repairs, new construction, rehabilitation, down payment and closing cost assistance, impact fees, construction and gap financing, mortgage buy-downs, acquisition of property for affordable housing, matching dollars for federal housing grants and programs, and homeownership counseling. 

 

Funding for this program was established by the passage of the 1992 William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act. Funds are allocated to local governments on a population-based formula.

 

The SHIP program is managed by two specialists. Lisa Evans is the first point of contact for potential clients. She takes care of the administrative functions; to include applicant intake and income/employment verifications. Darrell Fransen handles the technical side.

 

You may email either of us direct:

Lisa: levanshhfadv@embarqmail.com

Darrell: drfransen@embarqmail.com