​FIFTY (50) APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.  THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED.​

Notice of Funding Availability

Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Development hereby announces the continued availability of funding under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Purchas​e Assistance Program. Funding will provide up to $100,000 to assist income eligible applicants/households to acquire their first home (including acquisition, acquisition/rehabilitation, new construction, downpayment and closing costs) that will be used as their principal place of residence.

Funds will be awarded as a 0% interest deferred payment loan secured by a recorded Mortgage, Promissory Note and Declaration of Restriction for 30 years.  The loan is forgiven at the end of the 30-year term.

​NOTE: ALL Applicants are required to have a First Mortgage Loan approval from a lender before applying  

NOTE: Before submitting an application, ALL applicants were required to attend a virtual mandatory orientation.  If you did not attend a mandatory orientation, your application will be rejected.​

​APPLICATION PROCESS:

The online application portal will open on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 9:00am and close when 50 applications have been submitted.  Applications must be submitted online, and will be processed on a first submitted, first qualified, first served basis, subject to funding availability.  Eligible applicants can apply by visiting this website.

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HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND INCOME CATEGORIES TO BE SERVED:

​REQUIRED DOCUMENTS - At the time of application submittal, the following documents must be provided:  ​CLICK HERE for the list of required documents

• Mandatory Orientation Certificate from the County (Mandatory)
• Copy of Pre-Approval Letter from a First Mortgage Lender (Mandatory)
• Copy of valid Drivers' License or State Identification for ALL adult household members
  
• Copy of U.S. Birth Certificates or valid U.S. Passport or Naturalization Certificate for all household members.  For all Non-U.S. Citizen household members provide a copy of a valid Permanent Resident Card
• Copy of current Verification of Employment (VOE) completed and signed by employer within 30 days of submission of application (Preferred)(OR) copy of most recent paycheck stub for ALL working adult household members
• Copy of most recent Social Security, Retirement and/or Disability Award Letter for ALL household members
• If an adult student is employed – copy of current class schedule
• If unemployed, a copy of unemployment benefits statement (OR)a completed Unemployment Affidavit for ALL household members
  
• Wage Earner Statement from Social Security Administration for ALL unemployed adult household members
• If self-employed provide a completed YTD Profit and Loss (P & L) Statement for ALL adult household membersAND most recent three (3) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS  (OR) current 1099 Income earner AND most recent three (3) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS
  
• Court ordered child support documentation and/or proof from Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller's Office that there is/are no child support case(s) or award(s); and ALL appropriate legal documentation for adoption, divorce, battered spouse & restraining order
• Completed Verification of Deposit (VOD)(Preferred) for ALL current accounts (checking, savings, CD, IRA, Investment, Retirement) for all adult household members (OR) copy of most recent bank statements
• Most recent two (2) years of tax returns (signed and dated) as submitted to the IRS and W2s/1099s
• Certificate of Completion for Homebuyer Education from a HUD Certified Counseling Agency or Neighborworks America (OR) Documentation of an upcoming scheduled appointment  List of Housing Partners is here​
  
• County's Eight (8) Hour Homebuyer Education Counseling Certification form completed by the Counseling Agency's Instructor

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The property's purchase price cannot exceed $568,557
• First Time Homebuyer under the HUD definition: An individual who has no ownership in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property. This provision is limited to a spouse (if either meets the above test, they are considered first-time homebuyers). A single parent who has only owned with a former spouse while married. An individual who is a displaced homemaker and has only owned with a spouse. An individual who has only owned a principal residence not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with applicable regulations. An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local or model building codes and which cannot be brought into compliance for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.