State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Rehabilitation Program

How it works

St. Johns County’s State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Rehabilitation Program helps eligible homeowners make essential repairs, address potential housing problems, and complete safety upgrades. The page says the program focuses on code compliance, structural integrity, and the homeowner’s overall well-being while allowing occupants to keep living in the home during the work.

What the money covers

The official page describes the assistance broadly as rehabilitation help for essential repairs and safety upgrades. The page gives examples of before-and-after projects that included:

• restoration of central heat and air after damage and ductwork issues
• installation of an ADA ramp for safer access
• shingle roof repair/replacement with a galvanized metal roof and warranty
• an ADA-compliant walk-in shower for safer bathing

The page also says exact repairs depend on the applicant’s specific situation and must follow Florida Housing rules.

Amounts and matching

• The page does not state a maximum dollar amount.
• Assistance is provided as a loan.
• The loan requires no monthly payments.
• The loan does not charge interest.
• The loan lasts 10 years.
• The loan is recorded as a lien on the property.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a completed application and the requested documents within the specified time frame for processing to begin. The page does not provide the full document checklist on this page, but it does identify the program contact as:

• Kelsey Vankirk, Housing Program Specialist
• Phone: (904) 827-6892
• Email: kvankirk@sjcfl.us

Timing and deadlines

• The page says the requested documents must be submitted within a 14-day time frame for processing to begin.
• The page does not list a broader open/close date or program deadline.

Important restrictions

The page makes clear the rehabilitation work is not available for every property type. It excludes rental homes, and other property-type exclusions are listed in the eligibility section below.