
Charlotte County SHIP
Down Payment Assistance
Up to $75,000 Available for 1st Time Home Buyers* Who Meet Income Criteria and Who Have Been Living or Working in Charlotte County for a Minimum of 6 months.
*Cannot have owned a home within the last 3 years.
Program Criteria FAQs Clients Need to Know
Go here for more!
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Maximum Income Levels
Annual total gross household income cannot exceed maximum income limits based on family size. Asset income is also considered.
On the left are maximum income limits for 2025.
For more, go here: https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/departments/human-services/housing.stml
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What Does SHIP Cover?
Purchase Assistance provides help with down payment, closing costs, and gap funding to qualified households to purchase new or existing single family or condominium homes. This includes homes purchased from a community land trust (CLT).
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How Much Money Can I Get?
Funds are issued in the form of a zero percent (0%) interest, fully forgivable mortgage of up to $75,000. Individuals are limited to a lifetime (combined) maximum SHIP award of $75,000. Assistance can include down payment, closing costs, and possible additional gap funding to increase affordability.
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Do I Have to Pay the Money Back?
Maybe; maybe not. There are no monthly payments. The loan is forgiven at term, as long as it is in good standing. The loan would be due and payable if the house is sold/transferred, becomes rental housing, is no longer owner-occupied, or upon refinance of the first mortgage, if there are cash proceeds.
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Are There Other Qualifications?
Yes.
- Must be living or working in Charlotte County for six (6) months before applying.
- Monthly housing expense including principal, taxes and insurance, and any other homeowner or special assessment should not exceed 30% of gross monthly income and monthly housing expenses plus all other monthly debt obligations (excluding basic utilities) should not exceed 40% of gross monthly income.
- Must be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home within the last three (3) years.
- Borrower contribution must be a minimum of $1,000 of your own funds.
- May purchase new or existing single-family homes or qualified condominiums.
- Property must be owner-occupied; buyer must complete an acceptable homebuyer’s education program.
- Buyer must be able to obtain loan approval with a qualified lender through the Lenders' Consortium. Approved loan originators at these lenders have been trained and must have been pre-qualified prior to application being submitted by lender. Eligible applicants must purchase a qualified home within six (6) months of SHIP approval.
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Are There Restrictions?
Yes.
- Mobile and manufactured homes and multi-family homes (2-4 units) are ineligible.
- The property must be located anyhwere in Charlotte County.
- The sales price or value of new or existing eligible housing may not exceed 90% of the average area purchase price in the statistical area in which the eligible housing is located, as established by the U.S. Treasury Department (annually adjusted; 2025 = $510,939).
- Clients must work with lenders who are approved through the Lenders' Consortium.
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Dcuments You Will Need to Provide
- Minimum of two (2) wage stubs covering at least the last 60 days
- Copies of Social Security and/or Pension Award letters, if applicable
- Copies of last two years W-2s and tax returns (for self-employed persons)
- Copies of two (2) months’ bank/brokerage statements for all accounts
- Copy of court order if receiving child support or alimony
- If self-employed, 2 years corporate returns and current year-to-date Profit & Loss statement
- Proof of SNAP or other assistance or miscellaneous income
- List of debt
- Copy of all household members’ Social Security cards
- Copy of valid FL Driver’s license/ I.D.
- Copy of children’s birth certificates
- Other documents as requested by the SHIP Administrator on a case-by-case basis
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First Steps
- Call or text me at 727-534-3445 or email pam.m.marron@gmail.com to get qualified! I can submit your loan to Charlotte County SHIP for Down Payment Assistance!
- If you meet eligibility requirements, I will prepare an application packet for SHIP Purchase Assistance and submit your file to the Housing team on your behalf for eligibility determination.
- As your lender, we will require specific documents that are in addition to the documents you will need for Charlotte County SHIP.
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Are You a Loan Originator for a Lender That Would Like to Provide Charlotte Co. SHIP DPA to Clients?
Additional lenders may be added over time. If your preferred lender is not a member of this Consortium and would like more information about how to become a member, they may contact us by email at: SHIPAdministrator@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
About Pam Marron
Champion of Down Payment Assistance Programs
I know the guidelines and am able to qualify you for Charlotte County SHIP! Give me a call or text at 727-534-3445 or email Pam.M.Marron@gmail.com to get qualified for Charlotte County SHIP Down Payment Assistance today!