State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Disaster Mitigation Assistance / Emergency Repair or Rehabilitation Assistance

How it works

Jackson County says its Housing Assistance Office manages SHIP housing programs, and that Apalachee Regional Planning Council handles individual assistance for the county. The county’s SHIP page says the program includes disaster mitigation/recovery and owner-occupied rehabilitation support.

What the money covers

The county’s official page lists the following uses for disaster-related assistance:

• Purchase of emergency supplies to weatherproof damaged homes
• Interim repairs to avoid further damage
• Tree and debris removal needed to make the housing unit habitable
• Construction of wells or repair of existing wells where public water is not available
• Payment of insurance deductibles for rehabilitation of homes covered under homeowners’ insurance policies
• Security deposits for eligible recipients displaced by a disaster
• Rental assistance for eligible recipients displaced by a disaster
• Other strategies included in the approved Local Housing Assistance Plan that benefit applicants directly affected by the declared disaster

The page also says emergency repair or rehabilitation assistance can cover:

• Roofing
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Sanitary disposal
• Life/safety conditions
• Structural code deficiencies
• Other related repairs

Amounts and repayment

The county’s severe weather page says disaster mitigation assistance can be up to $30,000, and emergency repair or rehabilitation assistance can be up to $50,000. The housing page says funds are secured with a five- or ten-year recorded zero-interest deferred-payment mortgage loan, and monthly payments are not required. Repayment is due in full if the home is sold, title transfers, or the homeowner refinances to access equity and no longer resides in the home.

How to apply

Jackson County says applicants should apply through the Neighborly portal, or contact the Housing Grants Coordinator. The county also says application acceptance is based on funding availability.

Timing and deadlines

The county does not give a fixed deadline on the page. It states that assistance is for storm-damaged homes following a declared state of emergency.