The State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) Program is a grant from the Florida Finance Corporation to provide purchase assistance, emergency repair, and rehabilitation programs for eligible Okeechobee residents.  With SHIP assistance, local home owners have been able to repair or replace leaking roofs, damaged septic tanks, failed HVAC systems and more. First time home-buyers (buyers who have not owned a home in the County within the past 3 years) have been able to receive down payment and closing cost assistance to make purchasing a home both possible and affordable. 

In order to qualify for SHIP assistance, residents must meet very-low, low, and moderate income limits, and abide by the guidelines established in the Local Housing Assistance Plan.

Okeechobee residents interested in purchasing or repairing a home should contact the SHIP Coordinator for more information.

Office: (863) 824-3078 
Fax: (863) 763-0662