St. Petersburg's citywide SHIP money is paused, but buyers in the South St. Petersburg CRA can still get up to $75,000.
Is St. Petersburg down payment assistance available right now?
Partly. The City of St. Petersburg Housing & Neighborhood Services department runs the Housing Down Payment Assistance Program (SHIP) and CRA DPA. The City says the SHIP side is closed to new applications because of limited funding, while the CRA side, for homes in the South St. Petersburg CRA, is open. Both pay 20% of the sales price plus $5,000 toward closing costs, up to $75,000, and loans to buyers at or below 80% AMI are forgiven after 10 years.
The program serves first-time buyers inside city limits up to 140% AMI, though funding for the 81-140% band is limited. The price cap is $544,233. You contribute 1% of the price, take a HUD-approved class, get a home inspection and file for homestead exemption; your lender submits the file through Neighborly, so choose a lender that already works with the City's program. Buyers above 80% AMI should ask early whether any money is left in their band. When SHIP money returns, priority goes to buyers at or below 80% AMI, people with special needs and essential services personnel, which can help St. Petersburg Police and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue employees and Pinellas County Schools staff.
St. Petersburg is carved out of the Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program, which covers most other cities but not St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Largo. Buyers here can still use Home Key Plus ($10,000 in Pinellas) and statewide programs like Florida Hometown Heroes. The Pinellas County guide explains the county layers, and the eligibility check sorts out which fit your income.
20% of sales price plus $5,000 closing costs, up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time buyers inside city limits up to 140% AMI
Income cap
Up to 140% AMI (81-140% funding limited)
Price cap
$544,233
First-timers only
Yes
Also note
1% of price contribution; HUD-approved class; home inspection; homestead exemption; lender applies via Neighborly
Page: SHIP DPA closed to new applications due to limited funding; the CRA (South St. Petersburg CRA) DPA program is open. ≤80% AMI loans forgiven after 10 years. Priority to ≤80% AMI, special needs, and essential services personnel.
Pinellas County (unincorporated and most cities; not St. Petersburg, Clearwater or Largo)
Amount
Up to $75,000
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Low-income buyers (51-80% AMI)
Income cap
80% AMI: $64,250 (1), $91,750 (4)
Price cap
$394,000
Also note
8-hour HUD class + 1-hour counseling; liquid assets max $50,000; lender applies via portal; UPCS inspection
Reopened 12/1/2025; terms updated 8/1/2026. 0% deferred, forgiven after 30 years (full repayment if sold earlier). FY26-27 SHIP NOFA: $3,466,056 expected; applications July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029 or until spent.
Buyers in St. Petersburg 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 Pinellas 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
St. Petersburg, asked and answered
Is St. Petersburg's SHIP down payment assistance open?
No, SHIP is closed to new applications due to limited funding. The South St. Petersburg CRA DPA is open.
How much does St. Petersburg's program pay?
20% of the sales price plus $5,000 for closing costs, up to $75,000. Loans to buyers at or below 80% AMI are forgiven after 10 years.
Can St. Petersburg buyers use the Pinellas County DPA?
No. The Pinellas County program excludes St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Largo. Home Key Plus is still available.
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?
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