Up to 4,000 families, many that include elderly and special needs family members, can be assisted with this funding.
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Rick Scott, during the presentation of his 2013-14 state budget recommendations, showed his support for local government affordable housing initiatives by requesting $50 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program. This funding would assist approximately 4,000 families statewide who are eligible for various housing activities in their areas.
“On behalf of SHIP entities throughout the state, we are appreciative of this recommended funding,” said Steve Auger, executive director for Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing). “As a result of economic and budgetary challenges that our state has experienced, the SHIP program did not receive state budgetary allocations for several years. If the Legislature approves this request, local governments will have resources to address the specific housing needs of their communities.”
“Additionally, this $50 million would help bolster the state’s economy, generating about 5,500 jobs and an estimated economic benefit of more than $372 million,” Auger said.
“The Sadowski Coalition is extremely pleased that Governor Scott has taken the lead on putting the trust back into the SHIP housing trust funds, said Jaimie Ross, Sadowski Coalition facilitator.
Florida Housing administers the SHIP program, which was designed to serve very low-, low- and moderate-income families. Funds are distributed based on population to all 67 counties and 52 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) cities in Florida; the statutory minimum allocation is $350,000. Housing activities that will be funded include, but are not limited to, home purchase assistance, rehabilitation and foreclosure prevention. Additionally, many of the households assisted will include family members who are elderly or have special needs.
For more information on the SHIP program, visit Florida Housing’s website at: www.floridahousing.org, Housing Partnerships, Local Governments (SHIP).;