State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP)
About the Program ​​
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program provides funding as a 0% interest deferred loan, forgiven at a rate of 5% per year over a 20-year period, to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing for income-eligible households in unincorporated Sarasota County. This loan is fully forgiven after 20 years, provided the loan remains in good standing. Through SHIP, we offer assistance for home purchases, owner-occupied rehabilitation, disaster recovery, special needs barrier removal, rental development and acquisition/rehabilitation or new construction of homes.
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Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a homeowner in need of critical repairs or seeking housing that better meets your accessibility needs, our SHIP-funded programs may be able to help. Assistance is available in the form of grants or deferred loans based on program type and applicant eligibility.​​​
Current Programs ​​​
Applications for SHIP funding for purchase assistance and owner-occupied rehabilitation activities for 2025-2026 are currently closed. The new application cycle for these programs will begin Sept. 1, 2026.
SHIP funds will be awarded for gap financing, down payment, and closing costs to eligible households to purchase a newly constructed or existing single-family home, townhome, or condominium. Manufactured and mobile homes are not eligible.​
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Please refer to the program guidelines for affordability requirements, income eligibility, and application information.
Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program
Funding will be allocated toward households in need of repairs to correct substandard conditions, eliminate code violations, upgrade major systems, and make general property site improvements to improve the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants.
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Please refer to the program guidelines for affordability requirements, income eligibility, and application information.
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and New Construction for Homeownership Program (ARCH)
The Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and New Construction for Homeownership (ARCH) Program provides funding to help create homes that are affordable to eligible very low-income and low-income households, increasing homeownership opportunities for residents while strengthening neighborhoods throughout Sarasota County.
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Please refer to the program guidelines for affordability requirements, income eligibility, and application information.
Need Help?
To make our SHIP-funded Purchase Assistance and Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Assistance programs more accessible, staff will be available at the locations and dates below to help residents complete applications and answer questions about SHIP eligibility, requirements and services:
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South County Location:
​Jacaranda Library
4143 Woodmere Park Blvd
Venice, FL 34293
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Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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North County Location:
​Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library
2801 Newtown Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34234
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Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.​​
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Questions regarding the Sarasota County SHIP program may be directed to SHIP@scgov.net or 941-861-5345.
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Address (by appointment only):
Housing Enhancement and Redevelopment Office (HERO)
4510 Fruitville Road, 2nd Floor
Sarasota, FL 34232​​
Local Housing Assistance Plan
The Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) outlines the specific strategies and criteria for each program. We are committed to working with community partners, developers and local residents to meet the diverse housing needs of our county and strengthen neighborhoods through safe, affordable housing.
Effective July 1, 2026, the Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program has been updated to reflect the requirements of SB 594. The version currently posted on our website is a draft and is subject to approval by the Board of County Commissioners in Aug. 2026.