SHIP Program Frequently Asked Questions

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1.00 - Homeowners' Taxes and Insurance

• 1.01) What is the Homeowners' Taxes and Insurance Program?

  The Osceola County Homeowners’ Taxes & Insurance program will provide SHIP funds to assist with payment of delinquent property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

• 1.02) Who is eligible to apply?

  Any individual or household that meets the following criteria:

  1. Applicants must provide proof of eligible hardship per Osceola County guidelines.
  2. Applicants must provide proof of future management.
  3. Applicant’s annual household income may not exceed 80% of the area median income adjusted for family size.

• 1.03) How do I apply for the Osceola County Homeowners' Taxes and Insurance Program?

  There are two (2) steps that must be completed before receiving this assistance:

  • Call the Human Services Division at (407) 742-8400 and do a "phone intake," where your information will be taken to determine qualification.
  • Obtain a "Captain of your Financial Ship" certificate of completion from the Osceola County Extension Service office. Call 321-697-3000 for dates and registration, or visit http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu.

• 1.04) How much assistance is available for my family?

  The taxes and insurance assistance is a soft second lien for two (2) years in an amount of $1,501.00, up to $5,000.00 for those eligible.

• 1.05) Do I have to pay the money back?

  No, unless the property is not owner/applicant occupied for the term of the lien (2 years). In that case, the full amount of assistance will be due back to the county.

• 1.06) Can I apply for either or both taxes and insurance assistance?

  Yes, either or both.

• 1.07) Can I find my own insurance?

  Yes. You need three (3) quotes from three (3) different insurance companies.

• 1.08) Do I need to have employment?

  Yes, approved and verifiable income are:

  • Salary
  • Social Security Benefits
  • Department of Children & Families (cash assistance)
  • Child Support
  • Pension
  • Veterans Benefits

• 1.09) What are other requirements as it relates to the property?

  Property must be within Osceola County and be owner occupied, and the certified assessed value of the home, as per documentation from the Osceola County Property Appraiser’s Office, cannot exceed $180,000.

2.00 - Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention

• 2.01) What is the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program?

  The Osceola County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program will provide assistance to eligible applicants who are delinquent in their mortgage payments, but whose homes have not yet had a foreclosure sale date set.

• 2.02) Who is eligible to apply?

  Any individual or household who meet the following criteria:

  1. Applicant’s annual household income may not exceed 120% of the area median income for Osceola County and 80% for the City of Kissimmee.
  2. Applicants must have owned and lived in the home for a least one 1 year.
  3. Applicants must provide proof of eligible hardship per Osceola County guidelines.
  4. Applicants must provide proof of future management.
  5. Applicant must have received notice stating delinquency of mortgage.

• 2.03) How do I apply for the Osceola County Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Program?

  There are two (2) steps that must be completed before receiving this assistance:

  • Call the Human Services Division at (407) 742-8400 and do a phone intake, where your information will be taken to determine your qualification.
  • Obtain a “Captain of your Financial Ship” certificate of completion from the Osceola County Extension Service office. Call 321-697-3000 for dates and registration, or visit http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu.

• 2.04) How much assistance is available for my family?

  The foreclosure assistance is a soft second lien for two (2) years in an amount of $1,501.00, up to $5,000.00 for those eligible. The assistance may not exceed the maximum amount for mortgage payments, late fees and eligible attorney fees.

• 2.05) Do I have to pay the money back?

  No, unless the property is not owner/applicant occupied for the term of the lien (2 years). In that case, the full amount of assistance will be due back to the county.

• 2.06) How will I know the mortgage company will work with Osceola County?

  We will get written confirmation of acceptance of mortgage payments before we can mail out the funds.

• 2.07) What if I owe more than the amount of assistance provided?

  We will give you the maximum amount of $5,000 and you will have to bring to us the balance to be mailed with our funds to your lender.

• 2.08) I have been served foreclosure papers, can I still qualify?

  Applicants will not be eligible if the mortgage foreclosure process has already been started by the first mortgage lender.

• 2.09) What are other requirements of the program as it relates to the property?

  The property must be within Osceola County and the certified assessed value of the home cannot exceed $180,000 in Osceola County or $240,000 in the City of Kissimmee.

• 2.10) Do I need to have employment?

  Yes, you must have some verifiable income:

  1. Salary
  2. Social Security Benefits
  3. Department of Children & Families cash assistance
  4. Child Support
  5. Pension
  6. Veterans Benefits

3.00 - Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation / Replacement Program

• 3.01) What is the Owner Occupied Rehab Program?

  The Osceola County Owner Occupied Rehab Program is designed to assist eligible homeowners with necessary repairs to improve occupant safety and well-being, and/or contribute to the structural integrity and preservation of their owner-occupied home.

• 3.02) Who is eligible to apply?

  Any individual or household who meet the following criteria:

  1. Household income is less than or equal to 120% of median income adjusted for family size for Osceola County and 80% for City of Kissimmee.
  2. Owners must obtain education class certificate.

• 3.03) What are other eligibility requirements as it relates to the property?

  Any property that meets the following criteria:

  1. Property is located in Osceola County or the City of Kissimmee.
  2. Maximum certified assessed value of the home, as per documentation from the Osceola County Property Appraiser’s Office, cannot exceed $180,000 in Osceola County and $240,000 in the City of Kissimmee.
  3. First mortgages, property taxes and/or assessments must be current.
  4. Property may not have any existing subordinate mortgage or any liens secured with the property other than the 1st mortgage.
  5. There must not be any judgments or liens against the property other than the mortgage.
  6. The property must have a useful life of not less than fifteen 15 years to qualify.

• 3.04) Do I need to attend any educational class?

  Yes. A three (3) hour financial education class is required to receive assistance.

• 3.05) How do I apply for the Osceola County Owner Occupied Rehab Program?

  You must do a telephone intake interview by calling the Human Services Division at 407-742-8400.

• 3.06) Do I need to occupy the house that I need to rehabilitate?

  Yes. The house must me occupied by its owner.

• 3.07) Can I repair my swimming pool with this program?

  No. Only repairs that correct substantial code violations, improve health, safety and well-being, or contribute to the structural integrity and preservation of the unit.

• 3.08) Can I repair my mobile home?

  SHIP funds may not be used to repair mobile homes, also know as manufactured housing.

• 3.09) Can I choose my own contractor?

  No. The SHIP program has acquired the services of local contractors to perform the renovations under this program. Only those contractors can be used for rehab services.

• 3.10) Who will inspect my home?

  Each home is inspected by a county building inspector. In some instances, a private home inspector may be contracted for inspection services.

• 3.11) Will I have to move in order for repairs to be made?

  Not necessarily. Only in extreme cases might you be asked to temporary move out of your home.

• 3.12) Who pays for temporary relocation?

  The Rehabilitation Program will pay for the temporary relocation if needed. However, the amount of funds used for the relocation will be subtracted from the total funds available for the project, reducing the funding for the actual rehabilitation of your home.

• 3.13) What if my home is beyond repairs?

  On a case by case basis, a home that is beyond repairs may qualify for additional assistance to replace the existing home.

• 3.14) Will a lien be placed against my house if I receive this assistance?

  Yes, if the assistance provided is $1,501 or more. If the assistance provided is $1,500 or less, there will be no lien placed against the house.

• 3.15) If I receive assistance over $1,501, how long will the lien be placed against my house?

  It depends on the total amount of assistance provided;

  • $1,501 - $15,000: 5-year lien period
  • $15,001 - $30,000: 10-year lien period
  • $30,001 - $115,000: 15-year lien period

• 3.16) Do I have to pay the money back?

  Not if you comply with ALL of the requirements of the program. You will have to pay the money back if ANY of the following happens during the term of the lien period:

  • Home is sold.
  • Subordination requirements are not met including taxes and insurance.
  • Title is transferred.
  • Home ceases to be the primary residence of the recipient.
  • Property taxes and insurance is not paid annually.

4.00 - Purchase Assistance Program

• 4.01) What is the Purchasing Assistance Program?

  The goal of the Osceola County Purchasing Assistance Program is to increase the amount of affordable owner occupied housing by providing down payment or closing costs, as needed, on a new or existing single family home in Osceola County and in the City of Kissimmee.

• 4.02) Who is eligible to apply?

  Any individual or household who meet the following criteria:

  1. Must not have owned a home in the past 3 years.
  2. Household income is less than or equal to 120% of median income adjusted for family size for Osceola County and 80% for City of Kissimmee.
  3. Must be able to afford a monthly payment based on income and current debt.
  4. Must contribute at least $1,000 of personal funds toward down payment/closing costs.
  5. Preference will be given to current Osceola County and City of Kissimmee residents.
  6. Homeowners who have lost their home through bankruptcy or foreclosure within the previous three 3 years will not be eligible.
  7. Must attend pre-purchase orientation counseling and complete an approved home buyers’ education program. Applicants will also be required to undergo pre and post counseling when deemed necessary.
  8. The applicant shall be responsible for securing a permanent first mortgage with at least a fifteen 15 year term. No seller financing will be allowed.

• 4.03) What are other eligibility requirements as it relates to the property?

  Any property that meet the following criteria:

  1. The property must be located in Osceola County or the City of Kissimmee.
  2. The property must be a single family residence, a townhome or a condominium.
  3. Maximum sales price is $180,000 in Osceola County and $240,000 in the City of Kissimmee.
  4. The property must have a useful life consistent with the terms of the first mortgage, but not less than fifteen 15 years.

• 4.04) How do I apply for the Osceola County Purchase Assistance Program?

  There are two (2) pre-application steps that must be completed before receiving a purchasing assistance application:

  • Obtain a Homebuyer Education Certificate of Completion from the Osceola County Extension Service Office. Call 321-697-3000 for dates and registration or visit http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu.
  • Loan Approval Letter from one of our participating lenders.

• 4.05) By attending the Osceola County home buyer education class, does that guarantee that I will receive purchase assistance from the County's S.H.I.P Program?

  No. By attending the workshop you have only met one (1) of the requirements of the Osceola County S.H.I.P program.

• 4.06) When will applications be available for the Osceola County S.H.I.P Purchase Assistance Program?

  Applications will be distributed only during an application period that will be advertised once the funds are available. Only those individuals who can provide the required documents mentioned above will receive an application. In addition, only a few applications will be available for distribution to those who meet the requirements. You can enter our waiting list during that period if you were not able to receive an application. After the application period is over, we will advertise (once additional funds become available) in the local newspaper and on http://housing.osceola.org.

• 4.07) What is Osceola County's process for handling applications?

  Applications will be received on a First come, First served basis and will be processed on a first come, first ready basis.

• 4.08) If approved, how long will I have to purchase a home?

  When a family is approved and receives a reservation letter, they will have 120 days (4 months) to close on their new home.

• 4.09) How long will the completion certificate received from the Osceola County Home Buyer Education Course be valid?

  Two (2) years from the date it was issued.

• 4.10) If I already have a home buyer education certificate from another agency (HANDS, Consumer Credit, etc.), do I have to take the Osceola County class?

  Yes. Through staff research, it was found that the education courses previously allowed for S.H.I.P participants was not as comprehensive as it needed to be. We found that a lot of our participants began to face financial hardships, and in some cases led to foreclosures. Owning a home is a big financial step for most families. The 12-hour class helps to prepare families to face the challenges of purchasing and maintaining a home.

• 4.11) How much assistance is available for my family?

  The maximum amount of assistance is up to $36,000. Amount of assistance is determined by the number of people going to live in the household and the total annual gross income.

• 4.12) Do I have to pay the money back?

  The assistance is given in the form of a 15- year Deferred Payment Loan. If the house is refinance, sold, transferred or no longer occupied by the owner, the unused portion of the assistance must be returned to the program.

• 4.13) Are there any follow-up requirements after the closing?

  Yes. The SHIP program needs updated insurance information every year. Housing staff members will do sporadic home visits to determine owner occupancy.

5.00 - Rental Security and Utility Deposits

• 5.01) What is the Rental Security and Utility Deposits Program?

  The Osceola County and City of Kissimmee Rental Security and Utility Program will provide assistance to eligible residents in danger of becoming homeless as a result of the inability to pay security and/or utility deposits when seeking residence in rental housing.

• 5.02) How do I apply for the Osceola County Rental Security and Utility Deposit Program?

  There are two 2 steps that must be completed before receiving this assistance:

  • Applicants must have a written referral for assistance from a case manager/social worker from a nonprofit organization or an agency of the government serving Osceola County. After you are in receipt of the referral, contact the Human Services Division at (407) 742-8400 or bring it into the office, located at 330 N Beaumont Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741.
  • Obtain a "Captain of your Financial Ship" Certificate of Completion from the Osceola County Extension Service Office. Call (321) 697-3000 for dates and registration or visit http://osceola.ifas.ufl.edu.

• 5.03) Who is eligible to apply?

  Applicants whose annual income does not exceed 120% of the area median income for Osceola County and 80% for the City of Kissimmee, and are in danger of being homeless.

• 5.04) How much assistance is available for my family?

  The rental and utility assistance is an amount up to $1,500.00 combined for those eligible, or $1,500 for each assistance separately.

• 5.05) Do I have to pay the money back?

  No. The assistance is a grant and there are no recapture terms.

• 5.06) Do you pay rent?

  No, we will assist you with the rental deposit and / or the utility deposit one (1) time within a three (3) year period.

• 5.07) How long do I need to stay in the unit?

  Applicant must obtain a minimum one (1) year lease for the unit.

• 5.08) Can I choose my own unit?

  Yes, however the unit must be within Osceola County.

• 5.09) Do I need to have employment?

  Yes, you must have some verifiable income:

  • Salary
  • Social Security Benefits
  • Department of Children & Families (cash assistance)
  • Child Support
  • Pension
  • Veterans benefits