What is SHIP?

The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program provides housing assistance to eligible Martin County residents, including assistance for home repairs and rental assistance for move-in expenses. 

The SHIP Program is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation and provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership. 

Martin County Human Services administers the SHIP Program locally and develops the County's three-year Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP). Assistance is available to eligible residents, subject to funding availability and the requirements of each SHIP strategy.

What Assistance Is Available?

Funding Availability: SHIP assistance is limited to available funding, and not all assistance strategies are open for applications at all times. Please check this page regularly for updates on availability.

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance

The Martin County SHIP Program provides assistance to income-eligible homeowners to improve the safety and quality of their homes. Eligible repairs may include correcting code violations, eliminating health and safety hazards, and addressing major deficiencies that impact the livability of the home. 

SHIP rehabilitation funding is intended for moderate repairs, not home remodeling. Homes must be structurally adequate to qualify. If a home is determined to be beyond economical repair, it may not be eligible.

Rental Assistance for Move-In Expenses

The SHIP Program can provide assistance for move-in costs for rental units in Martin County, including first month's rent, last month's rent, and security deposits. All rental applicants must apply in person by appointment only.

FAQs

Eligibility requirements vary by SHIP strategy. For Housing Rehabilitation Assistance, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • The home must be the applicant's primary residence and be homesteaded.
  • Property taxes and mortgage payments must be current.
  • Some SHIP strategies require homeowners insurance to be current and maintained.
  • The home's market value cannot exceed $619,629.
  • All household members age 18 and older must provide income documentation.

Income Limit by Number of Persons in Household
Income Range 1 Member 2 Members 3 Members 4 Members
Low $57,350 $65,550 $73,750 $81,900
Moderate $86,040 $98,400 $110,640 $122,880

Income limits are subject to change and are based on guidelines provided by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation verifying:

  • Identity
  • Ownership
  • Occupancy
  • Household income
  • Mortgage status
  • Property taxes
  • Other program eligibility requirements

Additional documentation may be requested during the review process.

Eligible repairs may include roof repairs or replacement, HVAC system replacement, and septic system repairs. Assistance is limited to repairs needed to address major health, safety, or code compliance issues and is not intended for home remodeling.

For mobile homes, eligible repairs are limited to HVAC replacement or roof repair or replacement for structures built within the last 20 years.

No. Program funding is limited and subject to availability. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-completed, first-served basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding or assistance.

Repayment requirements vary by SHIP strategy. Please refer to the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan (PDF) for specific repayment terms.

Processing times can vary. After a completed application is received, eligibility review may take several weeks. If an applicant is found eligible, additional steps such as inspection, environmental review, scope development, and contractor procurement must occur before work can begin.

How to Apply

Housing Rehabilitation Assistance

Applicants may apply through our Online Application Portal. New users must first select "Sign Up" to create an account. If you are unable to complete the application online, call (772) 320-3169 to schedule an appointment to complete the application in our office.

Rental Assistance for Move-In Expenses

All rental assistance applicants must apply in person by appointment only. Call (772) 320-3169 to schedule an appointment.

Contact Us

Martin County Human Services
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (772) 288-5785

435 SE Flagler Avenue
Stuart, FL 34994

Applications not submitted within 60 days will be considered inactive.