Port St. Lucie's SHIP plan allows up to $103,500 for very low to moderate income buyers, including buyers of community land trust homes, as a 0% deferred loan that is forgiven over time. Status: funding-dependent and unverified. Call City Neighborhood Services to confirm funding before you shop.
Home Purchase Assistance (SHIP LHAP)
Limited funds
City of Port St. Lucie
Amount
Up to $103,500
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Very low to moderate income buyers (incl. community land trust homes)
Also note
Existing homes must receive at least $2,500 in rehab within 12 months
0% deferred; 10-year term (very low/low, 10%/yr forgiven), 30-year (moderate, 1/30 per year). City site blocked automated access.
Want a heads-up? Home Purchase Assistance (SHIP LHAP) draws from a limited pot that can empty out. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.
Two forgiveness schedules
The City's plan forgives the loan at different speeds depending on income:
Very low and low income: 10-year term, 10% forgiven per year.
Moderate income: 30-year term, 1/30 forgiven per year.
A moderate-income buyer who sells at year 10 would still owe about two-thirds, so think about how long you plan to stay.
Rehab rule for existing homes
If you buy an existing (not new) home, at least $2,500 in rehab work must be done within 12 months. Plan for that in your timeline and get contractor estimates early. Community land trust homes are specifically eligible.
Who qualifies?
Very low to moderate income households buying in Port St. Lucie. The plan summary doesn't state a first-time buyer rule, dollar income caps or a price limit; Neighborhood Services has the current figures. Buyers outside city limits should look at the St. Lucie County plan, which reaches $125,000.
Status, Hometown Heroes and next steps
This page relies on the City's 2025-28 plan filed with Florida Housing because the City site blocked automated access. Hometown Heroes permits another agency's stand-alone DPA in third position; a participating lender confirms whether Port St. Lucie accepts it. Next steps: call Neighborhood Services, ask whether purchase assistance has funds, ask about land trust listings if you're interested, and line up homebuyer education.
Land trust homes
Because the City plan names land trust homes as eligible, ask Neighborhood Services which trust homes are available in Port St. Lucie and how resale works under both the trust and the City loan.
Who Port St. Lucie's plan suits
Very low and low income buyers get the faster 10-year forgiveness, which makes the City plan attractive if you might move within 15 years. Moderate-income buyers face the longer 30-year schedule, so they should compare the County plan and Hometown Heroes before deciding. New construction avoids the $2,500 rehab requirement, which can simplify the timeline for buyers who would rather not manage repairs right after moving in. Either way, get the City's current income chart before you shop.
Our summary of the official program page as of November 2026. Funding and terms change; get the current version from the program or a participating lender. Florida Down Payment Assistance has no tie to this program.
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