Bradenton's SHIP plan lends first-time buyers from very low to moderate income up to $50,000 (with up to $10,000 for closing costs) at 0% over 20 years, with a minimum $50 monthly payment. Status: funding-dependent and not verified on a City page. Call Planning & Community Development before you commit.
Purchase Assistance (SHIP LHAP)
Limited funds
City of Bradenton
Amount
Up to $50,000 (closing costs up to $10,000)
Kind of help
Second loan with monthly payments
Who it's for
First-time buyers, very low to moderate income
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2026-29
0% loan, 20-year term, minimum $50/month payment; unpaid balance forgiven at end if in good standing. Status not verified on a City page.
Want a heads-up? Purchase Assistance (SHIP LHAP) draws from a limited pot that can empty out. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.
A repayable loan, with a twist
Most Florida SHIP purchase help is deferred, but Bradenton's 2026-29 plan sets up an amortizing loan: 0% interest, a 20-year term, and a payment of at least $50 a month. If you stay current for the full term, any unpaid balance is forgiven at the end. Budget that $50 or more into your monthly housing cost when your lender calculates your ratios.
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers.
Very low, low or moderate income under the plan's definitions.
A home inside Bradenton city limits.
The plan summary does not list exact income caps or a price limit; the City has them.
Is it open?
We could only confirm the plan filed with Florida Housing, not a live City intake page. Ask City Planning & Community Development whether purchase assistance is funded this fiscal year and whether there is a waiting list. Manatee County's SHIP plan (up to $70,000) is also unverified, while the HFA of Manatee County's Key to Homeownership is open.
With Hometown Heroes and other help
Hometown Heroes permits other agencies' stand-alone DPA in third position, but a repayable City loan with a monthly payment affects your debt-to-income ratio, so a participating lender needs to confirm both the lien position and the payment fit. Whether City and County assistance can be used together is a City question.
How the payment affects approval
Your lender counts the minimum $50 payment when it figures your debt-to-income ratio, so a buyer right at a lender's limit may need a slightly lower price. On the other side, paying something each month reduces the balance that could otherwise come due, and good standing through year 20 forgives what's left. Ask the City for an amortization example on your award amount, and whether closing cost help of up to $10,000 is part of or in addition to the $50,000.
A repayable structure also means your loan balance falls each year even before forgiveness, which can leave you with more equity if you sell midway through the term. Ask the City for the payoff figure at a few points in time.
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.
Saved. Watch your phone and inbox.
When this program restarts, you'll be among the first to know. Meanwhile, want to see what's open today?
Hi, I'm Lisa. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Florida. I'll walk you through six quick questions, and you'll see your result before you leave the page.
