Acquisition, Rehabilitation and New Construction for Homeownership (ARCH) Program

About the Program ​​

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Sarasota County employs a multipronged approach to help expand the availability of safe and affordable housing throughout the county. The Acquisition, Rehabilitation and New Construction for Homeownership (ARCH) Program has funding available for FY 2025-2028 to build new or rehabilitate single-family homes that will be affordable for prospective very low- or low-income homebuyers¹.

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Request for Applications (RFA)

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One developer will be chosen through a competitive Request for Application (RFA) process to be awarded a State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) loan for property acquisition, demolition, site improvements, rehabilitation and new construction. This strategy promotes infill housing development, green building and mixed income neighborhoods.​​​

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Application Window:

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Applications open:

June 22 at 12 p.m.

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Applications due:

August 3 at 5 p.m.​

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 Eligible Applicants:​ 

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• Public developers.

• Private developers.

• Nonprofit developers.

• Nonprofit organizations.

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Available Funding:

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• $1.35 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds is available for FY 2025-2028.​

 

Projects Must:​​

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• Be located within unincorporated Sarasota County.

• Complete construction and transfer ownership within 18 months of receiving the award.

• Comply with Florida Building Code, Sarasota County Code and SHIP Property Standards.​

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Steps and Project Selection:

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• Submit an application online during the application window from June 22, 2026 through August 3, 2026.

• Staff will review and score applications according to the Board and State-approved Local Housing Assistance Plan scoring criteria.

• A sponsor/developer of affordable single-family housing will be awarded for construction financing.

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If you are a prospective homebuyer, information will be available at later date regarding how to apply to purchase homes being built through the ARCH program and the purchase assistance available through the SHIP program. Prospective buyers may sign up for program announcements here.