PRESS RELEASE



[pic] NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2013

Contact:

Jessica Welch

Office of Communications & Public Services

(850) 926-0919

Wakulla County Announces Availability of SHIP Funds

Crawfordville, Florida – The Wakulla County Housing Authority announces approximately $498,409 available through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program to be used for owner-occupied rehabilitation and homebuyer purchase assistance.

An overview of the owner-occupied rehabilitation and homebuyer purchase assistance strategies are as follows:

▪ Owner-occupied rehabilitation category provides repairs or improvements needed for safety and sanitary rehabilitation and/or correction of code violations. The homeowner must claim homestead exemption and the home must be occupied by the owner in order to be considered for rehabilitation. The maximum amount of SHIP funds that may be awarded per unit is $35,000 only if the property is in need of general rehab. However, if it is determined by the County that the property is not salvageable and needs to be demolished and replaced, up to $75,000 may be used to support a site-built replacement property. Applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis.

▪ Homebuyer purchase assistance will provide down payment assistance, closing costs and principle reduction to first-time homebuyers that are eligible under the SHIP guidelines. Potential homebuyers will be required to qualify for a mortgage through a financial institution and may not have claimed homestead exemption in the last three years. Up to $15,000 per unit may be applied towards securing the home and funds will be awarded on a first come, first ready-to-close basis.

All interested persons will need to initially apply or re-apply. Applications are available at the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners Office, 3093 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL 32327 or online at . It’s important to note that applications must be hand-delivered to the Wakulla County BOCC Office, 3093 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL, between Monday, December 16, 2013 and by 12:00Noon on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 Applications will NOT be accepted prior to December 16th.

In addition, in an effort to assist applicants and answer questions, the Wakulla County Housing Authority will conduct an application workshop regarding SHIP financial assistance on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 10:00a.m. – 12:00Noon in the Commissioners Chambers, 29 Arran Road, Crawfordville, FL.

If you have any questions related to this story, please contact Meridian Community Services Group at (850) 877-1908.

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