Fort Lauderdale's SHIP program lends first-time buyers up to $75,000 at 0%, deferred, with intake handled by three non-profit agencies.
How does Fort Lauderdale's purchase assistance work?
The City of Fort Lauderdale Housing & Community Development office runs the Housing Purchase Assistance Program (SHIP) for first-time buyers purchasing inside city limits. The City flyer lists up to $75,000, while the Local Housing Assistance Plan the City filed with Florida Housing for 2025-28 allows up to $90,000. Either way it is a 0% deferred loan with a 15-year term that the plan says is forgiven at the end.
You do not apply at City Hall. Intake runs through non-profit sub-recipients: Housing Foundation of America, Oasis of Hope CDC and Debt Management Credit Counseling. Bring a HUD counseling certificate before you apply. The flyer uses 2025 HUD 80% income limits, from $64,550 for one person to $92,200 for four, and requires a minimum $1,000 contribution, a licensed home inspection plus a City inspection, and a property that is not a mobile or manufactured home. The flyer says assistance is subject to available funding, and no open or close date was posted, so call an intake agency to ask whether money is available before you sign a contract.
Broward County's Home Buyer Purchase Assistance covers participating cities with a 0% deferred, 15-year second mortgage, but the County page currently marks many cities as out of funds. Fort Lauderdale buyers also have the statewide options: Florida Hometown Heroes for teachers, healthcare workers and public safety staff, including Fort Lauderdale Police and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue employees, and the Florida Housing Homeownership Pool. The Broward County guide covers the county side, and the program finder sorts everything by your income.
Run by Fort Lauderdale
Housing Purchase Assistance Program (SHIP)
Limited funds
City of Fort Lauderdale
Amount
Up to $75,000 per City flyer; FHFC-approved 2025-28 LHAP lists a $90,000 maximum
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
Income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing inside Fort Lauderdale city limits
HUD-approved homebuyer education; buyer contributes 3% of price (not for VA); home inspection; lender applies on buyer's behalf
0% deferred second mortgage, 15-year term. Funds first-come first-qualified. Page marks 'No Funds' for Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Davie, Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Lauderdale Lakes, Margate, North Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Parkland, Plantation, Sunrise, Weston, Wilton Manors, Unincorporated Broward and others; Hollywood shown without a No Funds flag.
Buyers in Fort Lauderdale also have 3 statewide programs to draw on, Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program among them. Browse every Florida program or let the program search narrow it down.
Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Broward County teach one or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy.
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may accept only certain classes.
Which class counts for you? Your loan officer knows which courses each Florida program accepts and can start your pre-approval in the same conversation. Start with the 2-minute check
Fort Lauderdale, asked and answered
How much can I get from Fort Lauderdale's SHIP program?
The City flyer lists up to $75,000; the FHFC-approved 2025-28 plan allows up to $90,000. It is a 0% deferred loan with a 15-year term.
Where do I apply for Fort Lauderdale purchase assistance?
Through one of the City's non-profit intake agencies: Housing Foundation of America, Oasis of Hope CDC or Debt Management Credit Counseling.
What income limit applies in Fort Lauderdale?
The flyer uses 2025 HUD 80% limits, from $64,550 for one person to $92,200 for a four-person household.
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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.
