What is SHIP?
The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program is a Martin County sponsored program to provide loans to very-low, low, and moderate income persons to assist them in obtaining a home or rehabilitating their existing home. Under the SHIP program, qualified Martin County homeowners can request income-related housing rehabilitation assistance.
Water/Sewer Hookup:
The Martin County State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP) offers two funding sources to assist homeowners with water/sewer hookup. SHIP provides up to $18,000 in the form of a grant to qualifying, low income households for water/sewer hookup.
Down Payment Assistance:
The down payment and closing cost assistance strategy plays a role in providing affordable housing in Martin County. The majority of new homes being built in Martin County are not within the price range of the identified income groups. The availability of existing homes in the appropriate price range does meet some of the affordable housing needed for Martin County. SHIP funds can be used to offset the costs of down payment, closing, and other acquisition fees for very low, low and moderate income households. Up to $30,000 can be offered to moderate income households and up to $50,000 for very low and low income households in a form of a 0% interest deferred payment loan secured by a fifteen (15) year note.
Rehabilitation Assistance:
The SHIP program provides up to $40,000 in the form of a zero interest, deferred payment mortgage to qualifying homeowners (extremely low, very low, low and moderate income households) for home repairs. SHIP funds may only be used to make improvements that contribute to the health, safety and well-being of the occupants. Repairs/ improvements may include, but are not limited to:
- Water/sewer hookup
- Roof replacement
- Electrical or plumbing
- Heating and cooling units
- Windows and doors