Information on the program announced to help homeowner’s nearing foreclosure can be found here.

Welcome to the Questions and Answers section of the website! Below you will find some common Q&A regarding Florida Housing's programs, most frequently asked questions and more.

Please feel free to use the links below to skip to a section, or simply scroll down to view all content.

Are you having trouble finding a program or resource? Click here to search programs alphabetically or by acronym.

• Compliance/Property Owners & Managers
• Demonstration Loans
• Financial Information
• Homeownership
• Housing Data
• Lenders
• Public Records Requests
• Predevelopment
• Realtors
• Rental Housing
• Getting Started With Rental Housing
• SHIP
• Special Needs Housing
• Technical Assistance

What programs are available to assist first-time homebuyers?
Florida Housing's Homebuyer Loan Program offers low interest rate mortgages as well as down payment assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers. Other cash and down payment assistance options are available. To find out if you're eligible, use our Homebuyer Loan Programs Wizard. 

Click here for more general questions and answers on Florida Housing’s Homebuyer Loan Program.

If I have previously owned a home, but don't currently own one, am I eligible for the Homebuyer Loan Program?
If you have not owned a home in the past three years, you may be eligible to participate in the Homebuyer Loan Program. Contact a participating lender in your area to find out if you qualify.

What programs are available for single family builders/developers?
Florida Housing's Homeownership Pool (HOP) Program provides developers with the ability to reserve funds for eligible homebuyers to provide purchase assistance.

I used Florida Housing's Homebuyer Loan Program to purchase my home. I recently sold the house, and was informed that I must pay a Recapture Tax. Where can I learn more about this tax?
Good news! You may be eligible for a full reimbursement of any Recapture Tax paid to the IRS. Learn more here.

Where can I find the latest HUD Rent and Income limits?
You can find the most recent Rent limits here. Income limits are posted here.

Where can I find general information on compliance requirements for Florida Housing’s properties?
Information on rental program compliance requirements and other related details, such as income limit and rent limit schedules and certification of tenant eligibility information is available under Property Owners and Managers. On the Property Owners and Managers page you will also find links to Florida Housing’s Compliance Guidebook and related Compliance forms.

Where can I find data and statistics on housing in Florida?
In addition to housing data reports listed in the Newsroom and Library section of Florida Housing’s website, you can also find data on housing in Florida on the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse website at http://www.flhousingdata.shimberg.ufl.edu/ .

How do I become one of Florida Housing’s participating lenders?
Those interested in becoming one of Florida Housing’s participating lenders can find more information here, including whom to contact, enrollment eligibility and more.

Does Florida Housing provide financing for demonstration projects?
From time to time, Florida Housing may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for demonstration projects that provide affordable housing to certain segments of the population, such as farmworkers and commercial fishing workers, the elderly and others. You can find Florida Housing’s RFPs here.

How can I obtain a copy of Florida Housing’s financial statements?
Florida Housing’s financial statements, and other budget related information, are available here.

How can I submit a Public Records Request?
Florida Housing complies with the Public Records Request provisions for Chapter 119, Florida Statutes. Records may be requested in person, via phone, fax, email or regular mail.  Requests are not required to be submitted in writing, nor do we require your name or reason for requesting; however, in some instances this information can help identify the specific records requested.

Learn more about submitting your request here.

Is there a fee for a Public Records Request?
In some instances, yes. Paper copies cost $.15 per one-sided copy and $.20 per two-sided copy. Requests that necessitate extensive clerical or supervisory assistance (i.e., requiring more than 30 minutes to locate, compile, redact, inspect, and re-file) will be considered extensive and labor charges will be assessed. Requestors are responsible for any associated shipping charges, and in some instances, additional fees will be charged (e.g.: color copies, certified copies, etc.).  When charges apply to public records requests, the Corporation Clerk will provide an invoice that must be paid prior to receiving the requested records.

Learn more about fees for public records requests here.

Does Florida Housing provide financing for predevelopment activities?
Yes. Florida Housing’s Predevelopment Loan Program helps nonprofits, community based organizations, local governments, and public housing authorities plan, finance, and develop affordable housing. Eligible organizations may apply for a loan of up to $500,000 for various predevelopment activities, including soil tests, engineering fees, title searches and appraisals. For more information, go to Developers, then Special Programs.

Where do I register for Realtor CE Course Training?
Realtors interested in registering for CE Course Training can find class schedule, course cost and more here. General information for Realtors may be found here.

How can I locate an affordable apartment in my area?
Those searching for rental housing can now use Florida Housing's new affordable housing search engine, Floridahousingsearch.org. Begin your search for affordable rental housing at www.floridahousingsearch.org.

What financing programs are available for affordable housing developers building multifamily properties?
Florida Housing's multifamily programs provide financing assistance to developers of affordable rental housing. Under Developers you will find details on programs that provide low-interest gap financing, credit enhancement, financing for predevelopment activities, tax credits, bond financing and other assistance.

How do I get started finding information and funding to build affordable rental housing?
At Florida Housing, we call our rental housing programs “Multifamily Programs” and our Multifamily Program applications “Requests for Applications” or “RFAs”.  We issue about 15 a year, varying by the demographic or geographic targeted and the type of funding offered.  Information about the types of funding we offer for Multifamily Programs (loans, grants, Housing Credits, bonds) can be found here: http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/developers-multifamily-programs . Most can be used for both new construction and acquisition/rehabilitation.

Our multifamily programs often require at least 30 units.  If you are wanting to develop something smaller another good source may be the local government housing office in your area.  There is a program called SHIP that local governments administer, and they each determine what kind of uses are allowed for the funding.  Information about SHIP, including a link to help find local SHIP offices, can be found here:  http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/special-programs/ship---state-housing-initiatives-partnership-program .

For our multifamily funding RFAs, the timeline of upcoming applications, which can be a good starting point page, can be found here:   http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/developers-multifamily-programs/competitive. Each has a specific financing program, e.g. 9% tax credits, loans, etc. and some have a specific demographic, or type of construction, e.g. rehabilitation/preservation.   You can sign up for our Listserv to be notified when we do set the dates, issue drafts and applications, etc. by going to  http://listserv.floridahousing.org and signing up for the Multifamily Programs list.

To get an idea of program requirements, you can look at previous applications we have issued, but note that they can change from year to year on the details. Information about our Competitive RFAs can be found at  http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/developers-multifamily-programs/competitive.

There is also a non-competitive housing credit program that has a different process from the programs listed above, however it is more geared toward large developments. Because of all the fees involved, you need a larger scale to make it work. Information about the program can be found at http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/developers-multifamily-programs/non-competitive.

As it pertains to general information about the tax credit program, it is a federal program established by Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, so reading that would give you some information https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-04-82.pdf.  There are some good sources on the website to learn the basics such as Novogradac and Enterprise Community Partners.  There is an experience requirement for this program, so you would have to partner with a developer who has built or rehabbed affordable housing before. Visit http://www.novoco.com/events/webinars/lihtc/2015/lihtc_101/index.php, http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/financing-and-development/low-income-housing-tax-credits/about-lihtc and http://ntcic.webfactional.com/tax-credit-basics/lihtc-basics/.

If you are a non-profit organization or an arm of a local government, you may be able to apply for the Predevelopment Loan Program (PLP). PLP allows you to access low interest financing (1% interest) and technical assistance during the pre-construction phase of developing affordable housing. This program can be used for both homeownership and multifamily (rental) developments. The funding can be used for a wide array of “soft costs” such as engineering, soil testing, legal and zoning. In addition, the funds can be used to acquire the property that will be developed. For more information on this program, visit http://www.floridahousing.org/programs/special-programs/predevelopment-loan-program.

The Florida Housing Coalition offers technical assistance to non-profit affordable housing developers and host a conference in September that is great for learning the basics. Visit their website at http://www.flhousing.org/.

Do Florida Housing’s programs address the housing needs of farmworkers and commercial fishing workers, homeless people, the elderly and other special needs populations?
Florida Housing is statutorily required to reserve portions of its funds for the development of affordable housing targeted to elders, farmworkers and commercial fishing workers, and homeless individuals and families. Florida Housing provides incentives in its Universal Application process for developers seeking these set-aside funds. For more information, go here.

What programs are available to assist disabled homebuyers?
Florida Housing has set aside as part of its Homebuyer Loan Program for people with disabilities. Use the  Homebuyer Loan Programs Wizard to learn more.

How do I locate subsidized housing in my area?
Floridahousingsearch.org is a statewide, rental housing locator that provides detailed information on affordable rental housing that has been financed by Florida Housing Finance Corporation and/or counties choosing to participate in the service. The housing locator service allows people to locate available housing that best fits their individual and family needs. The service can be accessed online 24 hours a day and is supported by a toll-free, bilingual call center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Individuals can easily search for housing using a wide variety of search criteria with special mapping features and receive apartment listings that provide a multitude of important information about each unit. In addition, the site connects people to other housing resources through website links and provides helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and renter rights and responsibilities information.

To begin your search for affordable rental units available in your area, click here.
Additionally, the Florida Housing Data Clearninghouse provides key data and statistics on affordable housing throughout the state of Florida. You can access this information at http://flhousingdata.shimberg.ufl.edu . In addition, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides a list on its website of both public and private subsidized housing. Visit them at www.hud.gov for more information.

What is "SHIP money" and how do I know if I qualify?
SHIP is an acronym for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program. Florida Housing administers this program by providing the state's 67 counties and 48 entitlement cities with state dollars that are used for both homeownership and rental housing programs on the local level. The units of local governments identify their affordable housing priorities and disseminate those dollars throughout their communities. The SHIP program is designed to help very low, low and moderate income households. To find out if you qualify, contact either your city or county and inquire about the SHIP program.

Is technical assistance available in conjunction with Florida Housing’s programs?
Florida Housing provides training and other assistance in developing affordable housing through its Catalyst Program. The Florida Housing Coalition provides this training on behalf of Florida Housing. For a list of upcoming workshops, visit the Coalition’s website at www.flhousing.org.

Can't find the answer to your question? Contact us now for support.