Highlands County SHIP Program – Disaster Assistance

How it works

Highlands County says its Disaster Strategy helps households after a disaster declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of Florida. The page says the strategy is only funded and implemented in the event of a disaster, using funds not yet encumbered or additional disaster funds from Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

What the money covers

The county says disaster funds may be used for items such as, but not limited to:

• immediate threats to health and life safety, including sewage, damaged windows, and roofing, when the home is still habitable
• imminent residual damage, such as damage from a leaking roof, when the home is still habitable
• repairs necessary to make the home habitable
• repairs to mitigate dangerous situations, such as exposed wires
• payment of insurance deductibles for rehabilitation of homes covered under homeowners’ insurance policies
• purchase of emergency supplies to weatherproof damaged homes
• interim repairs to avoid further damage, including tree and debris removal required to make the housing unit habitable

Amounts and repayment

The county states that disaster assistance is awarded as a grant. The page does not give a dollar amount.

How to apply

The page references a Disaster Assistance – Hurricanes Ian & Nicole Application.

Timing and deadlines

The page names Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in the title, but the general program description says the disaster strategy is available after a qualifying declared disaster when funds are available.