PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CLAY COUNTY SHIP PROGRAM

On July 7, 1992, the Governor of Florida signed the William E. Sadowski Affordable Housing Act into law.  The Act is a comprehensive funding package for state and local affordable housing programs. Pursuant to this Act, Clay County SHIP Program has adopted a State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025. The projected distribution amount of SHIP funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year is approximately $2,131,049.00.  SHIP funds will be expended for the LHAP strategies (“strategy” or “strategies”) listed below and will be distributed to qualified applicants on both a competitive and non-competitive basis depending on the strategy and appropriation.  To be eligible for funding, applicants must qualify under the income requirements listed for each strategy:  Extremely Low (30% of Median Income), Very Low (50% of Median), Low (80% of Median), and/or Moderate (120% of Median). 

Application Period begins September 1, 2022.  Applications will be processed in the order they are received on a “First Qualified, First Served” basis and will be accepted until all funding has been distributed. A waiting list will be established when there are eligible applicants for strategies that no longer have funding available. Please contact the Clay County SHIP Program (“SHIP Program”) for questions about the application process and for instructions on submitting an application along with the terms, conditions and eligibility requirements. The SHIP Program is located at 477 Houston Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida and can be reached via telephone at (904) 278-4700 or (904) 529-4700.  Ship Program’s office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

STRATEGIES:

OWNER OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION

Funds in this strategy will be used to assist qualified homeowners whose houses are in need of repairs.  Repairs will be determined by the SHIP Program Coordinator.  This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low categories.  The maximum award under this strategy is $49,999.99 per house.  These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred repayment. 

PURCHASE ASSISTANCE/DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE

Funds in this strategy will be used for qualified persons in need of down payment and/or closing costs assistance to purchase a new or existing home.  This strategy is for applicants with income in the Very Low, Low and Moderate categories up to 140% of AMI. The sales price or value of the home may not exceed $247,500.00. The maximum award under this strategy is up to $30,000.00. Funds for this program are contingent upon budget appropriation and must be used in conjunction with another first time homebuyer program.  These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred repayment.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide emergency repairs to victims of a natural disaster as declared by state or federal Executive Order.  Funds may be used for items such as, but not limited to, purchase of emergency supplies to weatherproof damaged eligible homes, interim repairs to avoid further damage, tree and debris removal, construction/repair of wells where public water is not available, and soft costs required to process assistance applications. These funds will be expended as either grants or no interest loans.  This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, Low and Moderate categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $10,000.00.   These funds are made as a grant.

SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING (Non-Profit)

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide funding to a not-for-profit entity for the purchase of new construction or existing housing and the rehabilitation of or additions to existing housing used for special needs housing groups as noted in s. 420.9075(1)(a), Florida Statutes, including, but not limited to, homeless people, the elderly, migrant farm workers and persons with disabilities. This strategy will provide funding for the purchase of generators or any other special use equipment required to maintain a group home. These funds are available as a no interest loan. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low or Low categories. The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00.  These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred payment, and if eligible can be forgiven after ten years.

HOMELESS STABILIZATION PROGRAM

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide funding to assist families and individuals who reside in Clay County who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless (Eviction Prevention) and those who are already homeless (Rapid Rehousing).  Assistance for eviction prevention will not exceed six months.  Assistance for Rapid Rehousing may not exceed 12 months.  Assistance will be awarded through a Sponsor to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low or Low categories.  The Sponsor must be an agency or not-for-profit group whose mission and focus is to end homeless and to promote self-sufficiency.  The maximum award under this strategy is $10,000.00.  These funds are made as a grant.

DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION - HOME REPLACEMENT

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide funding for the replacement of an existing single family dwelling that has been determined not economically feasible to rehabilitate.  This strategy will also provide for the replacement of mobile homes that are over 10 years in age with a single family dwelling.  This strategy will only be available if the property is free and clear of any mortgage or debt.   Assistance will be awarded to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, or Low categories.  The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00 per house.   These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred payment.

HOMES FOR DISABLED VETERANS

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide funding for new construction or to rehabilitate or retrofit an existing home for a veteran with a disability threshold of at least 60%. This strategy is for applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low, Low, or Moderate categories.  The maximum award under this strategy is $300,000.00 per house.  These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred payment and if eligible can be forgiven after ten years.

NON-PROFIT HOUSING CONSTRUCTION

Funds in this strategy will be provided to not-for-profit organizations to be used to develop affordable housing for resale to eligible buyers/households in Clay County.  This strategy is intended for a not-for-profit organization such as Habitat for Humanity, who is already engaged in the affordable housing business.  The homes built by the not-for-profit will be purchased by persons in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low income categories.  The maximum award under this strategy to the developer is $75,000.00 per house and the maximum award to a homebuyer is $75,000.00 per house. These funds are made as a grant to the developer and as a no interest loan with a deferred payment to the homeowner, with the possibility of forgiveness of the loan.

REPAIRS TO MOBILE HOMES

Funds in this strategy will be used to provide funding for minor repairs to mobile homes owned by a qualified applicant.  The mobile home must not be older than ten years in age.  Assistance will be awarded to applicants with income in the Extremely Low, Very Low and Low income categories.  The maximum award under this strategy is $49,999.00.  These funds are made as a no interest loan with a deferred payment.

Clay County, its officers, staff, and agents disclose that it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, familial status, marital status, national origin or handicap in the award application process.

Howard Wanamaker                Theresa Sumner                                  

County Manager                             SHIP Program Coordinator

Legal 36717 Published August 8, 2022 in Clay County's Clay Today Newspaper