Lake County's SHIP plan gives buyers who don't currently own a home $50,000 (very low income), $40,000 (low) or $20,000 (moderate) as a 0% loan forgiven month by month over 15 years. Status: funding-dependent and unverified. Call Lake County Housing & Community Services before you sign a purchase contract.
SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP)
Limited funds
Lake County
Amount
Very low $50,000; low $40,000; moderate $20,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Buyers who do not currently own a home, very low to moderate
Also note
Approved lender; priority for referrals from approved Lake County non-profits
From FHFC-posted Lake LHAP (2024-27 link): 0% deferred, 15-year, forgiven monthly pro rata. Lake County site blocked automated access. Clermont (largest city) has no separate SHIP program.
Want a heads-up? SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP) draws from a limited pot that can empty out. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.
Confirm funding first
The Lake County website blocked automated access, so these terms come from the County's housing plan posted by Florida Housing (the 2024-27 plan link). We could not see whether applications are being taken. SHIP dollars arrive yearly and run out, and neighboring Orange County reported that FY 2026-27 state SHIP funds hadn't been disbursed this fall. Ask the County directly.
How the award works
Income tier
Award
Very low
$50,000
Low
$40,000
Moderate
$20,000
Forgiveness is monthly and pro rata across a 15-year term. Each month in the home reduces the balance, so a buyer who moves at year 5 would owe roughly two-thirds of the original amount; ask the County for the payoff method.
Who qualifies?
Buyers who do not currently own a home, from very low to moderate income.
Use of an approved lender.
Priority goes to buyers referred by approved Lake County non-profit partners, so connecting with one of them can move you up.
Clermont, the largest city, has no separate SHIP program; the County plan covers it.
With Hometown Heroes and Homebuyer's Dream
Hometown Heroes allows another agency's stand-alone DPA in third-lien position; a participating lender confirms whether Lake County accepts it. The Orange County HFA's Homebuyer's Dream ($10,000, or $7,500 conventional) covers Lake and is open, with its own first mortgage. To start, call the County, ask for the approved non-profit list, and get pre-approved with an approved lender.
Questions for Lake County
Ask whether purchase assistance is funded this year and whether a list is in use; what the income limits are for your household size; whether there is a price cap or first-time rule; and which approved non-profits can refer you. Ask, too, how the monthly forgiveness is calculated if you sell or refinance before 15 years, so you know your payoff at any point.
Moderate-income buyers get the smallest award here ($20,000), so for that tier compare the County plan against Homebuyer's Dream and Hometown Heroes before committing to a long wait on a list.
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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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.
