The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program is solely funded by the State and is locally governed by the strategies in the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) adopted by the Board on February 21, 2017. The program places a priority on serving very low, low and special needs households and requires 65% of the funds be spent on homeownership activities. 

Approval of the agreements provide funding to nonprofit housing development organizations for affordable housing projects including new construction, disaster rehab of owner occupied homes, disaster rehab of rental units, housing counseling and rehabilitation of rental housing units. 

Lee County has received funds for a number of years from the Florida State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program for the provision of affordable housing. The SHIP program is funded by revenues collected by the state from a surcharge on documentary stamps and distributed to counties and local governments as grants. Distributions are made on a population based formula through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, a state agency created to assist in providing a range of affordable housing opportunities. 

In compliance with Florida Statute 420.907, Lee County advertised the availability of FY 18/19 SHIP funds on July 15, 2018 with applications due September 7, 2018. The Affordable Housing Advisory Committee reviewed the applications on Monday, November 19, 2018 with a recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners approve the following grants awards: 

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.

$345,000 - Construction of 10 single family houses for 3 very low, and 7 low income households including, but not limited to, at least 2 special needs households

$158,039 - Rehabilitation of 8 owner occupied houses affected by Hurricane Irma for 4 very low, 3 low and 1 moderate income households including, but not limited, to at least 2 special needs households

$10,794 – Housing counseling and education of 11 households (3 very low, 4 low and 4 moderate-income) for first-time homebuyers, financial coaching and management.

Lee County Human and Veteran Services

$80,000 – Down payment/closing cost assistance, acquisition/rehab/resale and homeowner rehab for 2 low income households with priority for households with special needs.

Protected Harbor, Inc.

WITHDRAWN

SW Florida GWI Housing VII

$220,490 – Rehabilitation of 15 rental units at Ohio Place for very low income households with priority for households with Special Needs. The proposed work includes replacement of kitchen cabinets; installation of hurricane doors, water heaters, appliances, and new gutters.

The applications are reviewed by a staff committee based on the following criteria: organization’s mission, capacity, experience, financial stability, type of program, client base, and ability to meet SHIP requirements. The applications are ranked so that they can be compared to make funding recommendations. There is no requirement for the County or the applicants to provide a match for SHIP funds awarded.