Sarasota County's SHIP plan allows very low and low income buyers up to $75,000 as a 0% loan forgiven 5% per year over 20 years. Status: funding-dependent and not verified. Call Sarasota County Housing to confirm funding before you make an offer.
SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP)
Limited funds
Sarasota County
Amount
Up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Very low and low income buyers
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2025-28
0% deferred, 20-year term, forgiven 5%/yr; shared appreciation on default. County website blocked automated access; current status not verified. North Port (largest city) has no separate SHIP program; City of Sarasota has its own LHAP.
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.
Why the status is uncertain
We could not locate a current Sarasota County program page, and the County site blocked automated access. What follows comes from the 2025-28 Local Housing Assistance Plan the County filed with Florida Housing. A plan describes what the County may fund; whether money is in the pipeline this year is a separate question only the County can answer.
How the loan works
The award is up to $75,000, deferred at 0% over a 20-year term. One-twentieth (5%) is forgiven each year you own and live in the home, so after 10 years half is gone and after 20 none is owed. The plan includes shared appreciation if you default, meaning the County could claim part of your gain in addition to the balance.
Who qualifies?
Very low and low income households. The plan summary reviewed here does not list the dollar income caps, a price limit or a first-time rule; ask the County for the current chart. North Port, the county's largest city, has no separate SHIP program, so North Port buyers use this County plan. The City of Sarasota has its own plan.
With Hometown Heroes and OAHO
Hometown Heroes allows other agencies' stand-alone DPA in third position; a participating lender confirms whether Sarasota County accepts it. The HFA of Lee County's OAHO program pays $10,500 in Sarasota and is open, using its own first mortgage. To start: call the County, ask whether purchase assistance has funds or a list, request the income chart, and complete homebuyer education while you wait.
Questions for Sarasota County
Is purchase assistance funded this year, and is there a list?
What are the income caps by household size and the maximum price?
Does the program require a first-time buyer?
How does shared appreciation work if a default occurs?
Keep the answers with your loan file; your lender will need them to place the County lien correctly.
Because forgiveness is spread evenly over 20 years, the County's lien shrinks every year, which makes this plan friendlier to buyers who may move in 10 to 15 years than plans that forgive only at the end.
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.
