*APPLICATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD*

Contractors must be pre-approved and in good standing in our approved contractors database. Our team will help you through the process, handle the bid/contract process, & oversee all work to ensure it meets our high standards of workmanship.

There are no monthly loan payments as long as you remain in the home as your primary residence. After 15 years, the loan is completely forgiven. Complete & upload a pre-screening application here!

The Homeowner Rehabilitation Program assists income qualified homeowners in areas such as roof replacements, air conditioning & heating systems (HVAC), wells, septic systems, mobility ramps/handicap accessibility, & electrical panel upgrades.

Timeline

At this time, this program is no longer accepting applications. Applications will open up for this program in 2026.

Please note: applications will be accepted until all funds have been distributed. 

Download Application

All applications are funded on a first-qualified, first-served basis as long as funding is available and will be reviewed by staff for eligibility. Funding is not guaranteed and is contingent upon final approval.  Once a complete application is received, it will be reviewed to determine eligibility. Make an appointment for this review, do not drop off or mail the application without an appointment.

Eligibility

• You are a Marion County homeowner and your property is homesteaded.
• Your property is 3 acres or less in size.
• Your property taxes are current and paid up to date. 
• Your household income is at or below 100% of current federal poverty guidelines.
• You do not have sufficient income and assets to pay your taxes.

Required Documents

• Florida driver license or government-issued ID showing your current address
• Verification of Income – provide the most current copies of the following documents as applicable:
  • Pay stub – last four consecutive weeks
  • Current proof of income:  Social Security (SSI, SSA, SSDI) Proof of Income Letter, VA Pension Statement, and/or other Pension Statement
    
    • Proof of Income Letter from Social Security must be dated no later than 30 days old
  • Award Letter (workers compensation, unemployment)
  • Alimony/divorce papers /child support order
  • Self-employed members only – tax returns – last two years
• Verification of Assets
  • Bank statements – all pages, all accounts – last two months
  • Rental Property - documentation of rent received (lease)
  • Cash surrender value statement for any insurance or investments (letter from company)
  • Property Appraiser's report showing the market value of any additional properties owned in addition to your homestead 

Application

Once your pre-application has been deemed eligible and funding is available, you will be notified to complete a full application. Please ensure your application is complete upon submission.

Approved lenders

View a list of participating lenders for the program here!

Interested in participating as an approved lender with our home buyer assistance program? Contact our office to get started today at 352-671-8770.

Eligibility

For eligible participants, the program provides assistance with down payment and closing costs in the form of a zero-interest, deferred payment loan.

For more information and to find out if you're eligible, check the income eligibility chart.

Florida Housing administers the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP), which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing. Marion County utilizes SHIP funding to support Purchase Assistance (Down payment and closing costs) and Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance. To read more about SHIP funding, Click Here!

General eligibility requirements include

• A proven total household income at or below 140% area median income.
• Applicants cannot currently own a home or be under contract to purchase a home.
• The home being purchased must be intended as the applicant's primary residence.
• The home being purchased must be located within Marion County and outside the Ocala city limits.
• The homebuyer must successfully complete an approved homebuyer education class prior to program approval.
• The applicants must be a Florida resident for a minimum of 1 year.
• The applicants must have a minimum credit score of 580.

To view income/eligibility for homeowner rehabilitation assistance, click here!

The homebuyer is responsible for payment of some of the closing costs including out-of-pocket expenses such as:

• Applicable lender application fee(s)
• Applicant Costs; approximately $3,000-4,000
• Credit report
• First-year’s homeowners insurance
• Flood certification
• Home inspection
• Lender’s appraisal
• Realtor required deposit
• Tax and insurance escrows

Assistance will be provided in the form of a 20 or 30-year SECOND MORTGAGE LOAN (not a grant).

• The homebuyer does not need to make monthly payments
• The loan does not accrue any interest
• The loan becomes due payable if the person:
  • Sells or no longer lives in the home
  • Rents the home to a third party
  • Transfers ownership via the deed
  • Refinances to get cash out

Per federal and state program guidelines, this loan will be forgiven if the applicant/homeowner claims the associated home as primary residence for entire length of the mortgage.

Avoid these common ways to delay or disqualify your application:

• Do NOT start actively looking for a home assuming approval via this program
• Do NOT put a contract on a home prior to being approved both by the lender and Community Services
• Do NOT open any new credit cards, close any current credit cards, cosign on a loan for anyone or make any major purchases while you are in this process

No, you do not.  The Community Services Department of Marion County will handle and manage all of the bid creation, advertising to pre-qualified contractors, bid award, contract documents, project management, inspection, final acceptance, close out documents, warranty registrations, and payments.  All the client has to do is coordinate schedules with the awarded contractor and provide them access to the items being replace.

Yes, you will.  If you receive assistance for your repairs even though you do not have to make any payments or pay any interest for the life of the mortgage lien, you would be responsible for repayment of all or part of the grant if you should sell your home before the mortgage lien term has ended.

Before applying for assistance please make sure your property has been homesteaded, it is your primary residence, the mortgage and property taxes current, and there are no outstanding liens other that a first mortgage, and lastly the homes overall condition is suitable for rehab.

Purchasing a home through the Marion County SHIP program affords you additional savings on lender fees, lower monthly mortgage payments, and experienced staff to help you understand the home buying process.

The UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service will present workshops to help potential homebuyers prepare to purchase a home. 

The workshops consist of eight hours of education with topics including home maintenance, budgeting, understanding your credit, and working with your lender, just to name a few.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion that will enable them to apply for a federal down payment and closing cost assistance program available through Marion County.

Register by visiting the event link here or by contacting Giovanna Benitez at 352-671-8400 or g.martell@ufl.edu.