SHIP-First Mortgage Loan Assistance Program

PRE-APPLICATION LAUNCH DATE

Tuesday, March 11, 2026, at 8:00 am and ends on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA)

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) First Mortgage Loan Assistance Program

ALLOCATION: $5,000,000                                                                              MAXIMUM AWARD: $450,000

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development hereby announces the availability of the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) First Mortgage Loan Assistance Program.  Funding will provide first mortgage loan assistance, at a 4% fixed interest rate, to assist income eligible applicants/households.  The maximum loan amount is based upon established affordability guidelines and creditworthiness, based upon established underwriting guidelines.  Approved homebuyers will be required to contribute a minimum of 3.5% of the purchase price.  The purchase price cannot exceed $450,000.  NOTE: Applicants CANNOT own a home at the time of closing on a property to be purchased through this program.

Household Size and Eligible Income Categories to be Served:

Eligible applicants may complete the pre-application to enter the random lottery selection process for 50 applications.  The online pre-application portal opens on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, at 8:00 am, and closes on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 11:59 pm. Additional program information and required documents needed are also located on the website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The property's purchase price cannot exceed $450,000 sales price
• Applicants are required to have at least a 630 FICO credit score.
• Funds will be awarded as a 4% interest fix rate loan secured by a recorded Mortgage, Promissory Note and Declaration of Restriction for 30 years.  The loan is satisfied at the end of the 30-year term.
• Repayment: The loan will be amortized with monthly principal and interest payments.
  
  

​Click here for a list of Required Documents​

PRE-APPLICATION ORIENTATION: Before applying, applicants are encouraged to attend one of the Virtual Pre-Application Orientations listed below:

Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00 am

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:30 pm​​​​

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 8:00 am

​​The Virtual Pre-Application Orientation WebEx Link is:
https://pbc-gov.webex.com/pbc-gov/j.php?MTID=m32c71f9e226ff44655e408ee43ffae3b​

Meeting Number (access code): 2316 908 2446 

Password: Ed52J3P5gdn

or dial 1-904-900-2303 or (844) 621-3956​​

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 286.26, Florida Statute, persons needing a special accommodation to participate in the business, community and/or housing programs through our online application portal, may notify the Department of Housing and Economic Development (DHED), Mortgage and Housing Investments Division at (561) 233-3600 or via email at HEDVerify@pbc.gov, five (5) business days prior to the opening of the application portal.  This document may be requested in an alternate format, to help facilitate your process of applying through the online portal.  If you are unable to find assistance to apply through the online portal, we can provide a list of agencies who may be able to help (charges from that agency may apply). Contact DHED for more information and the process.

Este aviso y los documentos a los que se hace referencia están disponibles en español y hay servicios de traducción disponibles.  Comuníquese con HED al (561) 233-3600.

Avi sa a ak dokiman referansye yo disponib nan lang panyòl, ak sèvis tradiksyon ki disponib.  Kontakte HED nan (561) 233-3600.

For additional information, please contact:

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development (HED)

Mortgage & Housing Investments Division

100 Australian Avenue, 5^th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL  33406

Telephone: Antoinette Prescott (561) 233-3606 or Megan Harp (561) 233-1294 or Receptionist (561) 233-3600​ ​