Human Services Department
Housing Services - State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP)
The Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners seeks proposals from qualified non-profit organizations to administer programs funded by the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program. Full Public Notice
Homeowners Initiatives
Rental Initiatives
Homeless Initiatives
The SHIP Program provides Charlotte County with State funds to expand or preserve affordable housing to income eligible households and other special needs groups. The Division is responsible for coordinating the development of a Local Housing Assistance Plan (Plan) describing how funds from the SHIP Program will be used within the framework established by the Florida Legislature. State rules require the Plan be reviewed by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and endorsed by the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners before being submitted for approval by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. View the current Local Housing Assistance Plan
Eligibility for programs is based on household income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year. For 2008, income limits are listed on the following table. Extremely-low-income households are those with incomes below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Very-low incomes are those at or below 50 percent of AMI. Low-incomes are between 51 and 80 percent of AMI. Moderate incomes are between 81 and 120 percent of AMI.
Homeowners Initiatives
The County partners with The Housing Corporation to provide SHIP homeowner assistance in Charlotte County. The Housing Corporation can be reached at 941.255.9454 for more information about these programs.
- Down Payment Assistance: Provides deferred payment loans to assist very-low, low and moderate income households with the purchase of homes.
- Homeowner Rehabilitation: Provides deferred payment loans to assist in the rehabilitation of housing owned by low income households.
- Housing Construction: Assists nonprofit organizations in the construction of homes to be sold to very-low and low income households. Current partners include The Housing Corporation and Habitat for Humanity. They currently have plans to build or rehabilitate 30 new homes over the next year, primarily within a designated revitalization area in Port Charlotte.
- Homebuyers Program (Credit Repair and Budgeting): Offers homeownership counseling to assist potential buyers to position themselves to become homeowners by helping participants repair their credit and create workable budgets. This program is also available to renters who are in need of credit repair and budgeting assistance even if they are not preparing for homeownership. There is no charge for Charlotte County residents with very-low, low, and moderate-incomes.
- Foreclosure Prevention: Assists very-low, low, and moderate-income households retain homeownership using foreclosure counseling from a credit counselor certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Community Land Trust: Provides homeownership using a 99 year ground lease. The lease provides homestead rights to the homebuyer but places limitations on the resale of the home to ensure affordability to eligible subsequent households. Homes are currently available for eligible households at or below 100 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). All homes in the program are different in size, location and amenities offered. However, below are sample floorplans provided by Marsella Homes, Inc., one of The Housing Corporation's partners:
Rental Initiatives
The County provides gap financing to developers creating affordable rental communities. For non-profit developers, the assistance may be in the form of a grant. Interested developers can print an application or call the Housing Division at 941.505.4884. There are three categories of rental housing financed through Charlotte County's SHIP program.
1. Rental, Housing Authority: Provides grants to public authorities to rehabilitate or construct new housing. For more information, please contact:
Punta Gorda Housing Authority
414 E. Charlotte Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941.639.4344
Fax: 941.639.1753
- - OR - -
Gulf Breeze Apartments
340 Gulf Breeze Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941.916.9696
Fax: 941.916.9695
The Housing Authority also oversees the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) in the County. Please contact them for more information about this program as well at 639-4344.
2. Rental, Non-Profit/Special Needs Housing: Provides loans or grants to non-profits to rehabilitate or construct new housing. These developments are typically targeted towards disabled or senior households. Available housing is listed below.
Presbyterian Villas 941.629.6664
Presbyterian Homes 941.629.6664
Charlotte Towers 941.629.6664
Williams Street Place 239.945.4499
Harbor Place Apartments 239.995.6100
MARIAN MANOR under construction - expected in Summer 2009
CHARLOTTE CROSSING under construction - expected in Summer 2009
3. Rental, For-Profit/New Construction: Provides loans to assist for-profit developers in the construction of rental housing for low income households. Rents at these properties are set at affordable rent levels based on federal and state guidelines. Maximum rent levels are put in place as part of the financing. The county has funded the following properties:
Charleston Cay 941.623.0123
The Pines of Punta Gorda 866.618.9906 or 941.637.1932
Printable list of the county's affordable housing properties, including those not funded by the County’s SHIP program. Additional information about affordable housing opportunities in the area can also be found at www.floridahousingsearch.org.
Homeless Initiatives
Charlotte County has provided funding to the Homeless Coalition to assist in the development of several transitional housing units in the county.
Genesis Bishop House is a home for pregnant women age 16 and over. It is temporarily closed.
Genesis Chara House is a transitional housing facility for single mothers with young children up to four years of age.
Genesis Safe House will be an emergency shelter for women, men, and families. The shelter is completed, but is not yet operational. It is expected to be open by the end of 2008.
In addition, the Homeless Coalition has four single-family rental homes available for families in need of transitional housing and case management.
Coastal Safe Haven: Charlotte County has also provided funding for the renovation of the former Kelly Hall dormitory in Punta Gorda to a 52-bed rehabilitation facility for homeless persons with special needs. This project will be operated by Coastal Behavioral Healthcare. The project is scheduled to open in October 2008.
Restoration Roads: Restoration Roads Ministry, Inc. received funding from the county to open a shelter for unaccompanied teenagers. The property will be located on Stillwater Street. It is scheduled to open in fall 2008. For more information about this program, call 941.204.4180 or visit Restoration roads online.
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