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Marion County

Marion County SHIP Purchase Assistance

Marion County's SHIP plan allows up to $100,000 for very low and low income buyers and up to $75,000 for moderate income up to 140% of area median income, as a 0% deferred loan forgiven at the end of its term. Status: funding-dependent and unverified. Call Marion County Community Services to confirm money is available.

SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP)

Limited funds

Marion County

Amount
Very low/low $100,000; moderate/140% AMI $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Very low to 140% AMI buyers
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2025-28

0% deferred, assumable by income-eligible buyer; 20-year lien up to $75k, 30-year above; forgiven at end. County site blocked automated access.

Checked against the official page, November 2026. How we fact-check

Check whether I fit
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.

Where these terms come from

The County site blocked our automated check, so we rely on the 2025-28 Local Housing Assistance Plan filed with Florida Housing. The plan sets the rules; the County decides each year how much goes to purchase help and when to open intake. Treat any closing timeline as tentative until the County confirms your award.

How Marion's loan works

IncomeMax award
Very low / low$100,000
Moderate / to 140% AMI$75,000

The lien runs 20 years on awards up to $75,000 and 30 years on anything above that.

The loan is 0% and deferred, and it is forgiven at the end of the lien term. An unusual feature: it is assumable by an income-eligible buyer, so if you sell to a household that also qualifies, the assistance can pass to them instead of being repaid.

Who qualifies?

Households from very low income up to 140% AMI. The plan summary does not list dollar income caps, a price limit or a first-time rule; the County has the current chart. Ocala, the county seat, has a separate city plan with smaller awards and a 10-year forgiveness period.

With Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes allows other agencies' stand-alone DPA in third position. A $75,000-$100,000 County lien behind a Hometown Heroes first and second is a large stack, and a participating lender confirms whether the County and the combined loan-to-value allow it. To start, call Community Services, ask about funding and the income chart, and complete homebuyer education.

Preparing your file

Because awards are large, expect the County to review income, assets and the home carefully. Gather income documents for every adult, bank statements and a lender pre-approval before you call. Ask which income tier you fall into, whether there is a price cap, and how the assumable feature works in practice if you later sell to an eligible buyer.

Marion's ceiling of 140% AMI also means moderate-income teachers, nurses and first responders may qualify here even if they earn too much for 80% AMI programs elsewhere.

See the Marion County guide, forgivable loans explained, or check your eligibility.

Florida counties it covers: Marion County.

SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP): your questions

How much is Marion County SHIP assistance?

Up to $100,000 for very low and low income and up to $75,000 for moderate income up to 140% AMI.

What happens if I sell?

The loan is assumable by an income-eligible buyer; otherwise ask the County how repayment works before the term ends.

Is Marion County SHIP open?

Not verified. Call Marion County Community Services to confirm funding.

Find out if I fit this program

Programs to compare

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.