West Palm Beach's SHIP plan allows up to $100,000 in forgivable purchase assistance, with up to $25,000 of that for repairs.
What does West Palm Beach offer home buyers?
The City of West Palm Beach Housing & Community Development department runs the Home Purchase Assistance Strategy (SHIP LHAP) for very low, low and moderate income buyers in the city. Under the Local Housing Assistance Plan for 2024-27 filed with Florida Housing, awards can reach $100,000, with repairs capped at $25,000. The money is a 0% deferred loan forgiven pro rata over a term that depends on size: 5 years under $15,000, 10 years from $15,000 to $40,000, and 15 years above $40,000.
These terms come from the plan on file with the state, and the current open or closed status was not confirmed on a City page. Treat it as funding-dependent and call the City housing office before you count on it, and ask whether a lender or a non-profit partner handles intake this year. That matters more than usual here, because the Palm Beach County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program, worth up to $100,000, is closed right now.
The county option that is open is the Own a Home Opportunity (OAHO) Program, which pays $17,500 in Palm Beach County, the highest amount in its multi-county footprint. West Palm Beach buyers who teach in the School District of Palm Beach County or work for West Palm Beach Police or Palm Beach County Fire Rescue should also look at Florida Hometown Heroes, the statewide program for those roles. Start with the Palm Beach County guide, or run the eligibility check to have a loan officer line up the city, county and state layers together.
Very low, low and moderate income buyers in the city
Also note
Per FHFC-approved LHAP 2024-27
0% deferred loan forgiven pro rata; term 5 yrs (<$15k), 10 yrs ($15k-$40k), 15 yrs (>$40k). Verified only from the LHAP filed with Florida Housing; current open/closed status not confirmed.
Online portal application; first-mortgage pre-approval; HUD/NeighborWorks education + County 8-hour counseling form; liquid assets max $200,000
0% deferred, 30-year term, forgiven at end. Last cycle: portal opened May 5, 2025 and closed when 100 applications were reached ($3M allocation). Page still says 'THE APPLICATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED'; no 2026 round found.
Buyers in West Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach 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
West Palm Beach, asked and answered
How much is West Palm Beach purchase assistance?
Up to $100,000 under the City's 2024-27 SHIP plan, including up to $25,000 for repairs.
Is the West Palm Beach loan forgiven?
Yes, pro rata. The term is 5 years for under $15,000, 10 years for $15,000 to $40,000, and 15 years above $40,000.
Is Palm Beach County's SHIP program open?
No. The County SHIP Purchase Assistance Program is closed; OAHO, which pays $17,500 in Palm Beach County, is open.
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?
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.
