Designed to actively work to ensure that our residents are afforded the opportunity to live in safe, decent, and sanitary homes.
This Countywide program will allow the Local Housing Trust Funds (HOPE) and State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) funding to be used to rehabilitate low, very low, and moderate-income families' homes in the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, Plant City, Temple Terrace and the City of Tampa.
This program will help eligible homeowners who are financially unable to bring their homes into compliance with Florida Building Code or make other needed repairs to their homes. This financial assistance will allow rehabilitation to single-family homes that have permanent residence homestead for a minimum of 2 years.
How it works
Affordable Housing Services (AHS) and its Community Partners will work to establish the scope of work for each project through the bidding and monitoring process for the rehabilitation needed. Once the cost of repairs is determined, the homeowner will execute documents to confirm the loan costs to repair the home in the form of mortgage and promissory note. The SHIP Rehabilitation program provides an interest-free, deferred payment loan to eligible applicants (portion forgiven every year). Home repair/rehabilitation loans are forgiven in 5-15 years, depending on the loan amount, provided the applicant continues to live in the home.
What repairs are eligible?
Repairs are prioritized for life, health, and safety first. Landscaping and irrigation are not eligible repairs.
Eligible repairs are usually related to:
- Leaking or failed roof system
- Failing or lacking plumbing or sewer/septic system
- Poor or hazardous electrical systems
- Lack of working heat/air conditioning
- Accessibility improvements for the disabled or those with special needs
- Repairs of doors, walls, windows
- Other minor repairs
Eligibility requirements
- You must own a single-family home, villa, or condominium in Unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City, Temple Terrace, or the City of Tampa. Confirm your location is eligible on the property locator - search for your address and click the “Results” button to view where your property is located.
- You must meet income eligibility requirements. (See table below)
- Your deed cannot be held in a trust. It may be held in fee simple or a life estate only. Any quit claim deeds removing a deceased party must be reviewed to ensure that a probate action was not necessary. Multiple owners must all consent to the repairs regardless of whether or not they reside in the home. Owners who do not reside in the home must show proof of their current residence. Household members must present state identification to show proof of residency at the property address.
- You must have a homestead exemption for the past two years and be current on your property taxes. Payment plans for the current year are acceptable so long as you are current.
- You must be current on your property tax bills
- You must not have more than one mortgage
- You must be in good standing with Hillsborough County utilities. (Water, sewer, etc.)
- A code enforcement lien may be acceptable as part of the rehabilitation services the County will provide
- You must not own any other real estate property
- You must agree to a deferred no-interest mortgage lien and promissory note in the amount of the repairs to be recorded against your property. No payments are due, and the principal is forgiven over time.
- Owners whose repairs exceed 50% of the appraised value of the property are recommended for a demolition/reconstruction, if funds are available. The appraised value of the home may not exceed $300,000 or and the home may not exceed 2,000 square feet in most instances.
- All prior open permits and notices of commencement must be closed
- Mobile homes are not eligible for this program unless the land it rests on is owned by the mobile home’s owner and the home is built according to HUD and County building code standards
- You will not have customizable options for repairs made, and all materials will be contractor grade or better. You may have choices of paint colors in neutral palettes and in accordance with the contractor guidance. The goal is to preserve your home and make it safe and healthy for you for years to come.
OOR Applicant Eligibility Requirement Checklist (PDF)
Income qualifications
To receive assistance, you must have a total household income of less than 80% Area Median Income (AMI). Please refer to the list below to determine if you qualify.
2025 Hillsborough County Income Limits - Florida Housing Finance Corporation SHIP and HHRP Programs
Income limited by number of persons in Household
Percentage Category | 1 person | 2 people | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | 7 people | 8 people | 9 people | 10 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30% | $21,90 | $25,050 | $28,200 | $32,150 | $37,650 | $43,150 | $48,650 | $54,150 | Refer to HUD | Refer to HUD |
50% | $36,500 | $41,700 | $46,950 | $52,150 | $56,350 | $60,500 | $64,700 | $68,850 | $73,010 | $77,182 |
80% | $58,450 | $66,800 | $75,150 | $83,450 | $90,150 | $96,850 | $103,500 | $110,200 | $116,816 | $123,491 |
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) income and rent limits are based upon figures provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are subject to change. Updated schedules will be provided when changes occur.
View income limits as a table (PDF).
Other requirements
Homeowners wishing to participate in the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program must not have received assistance from Hillsborough County from this program or through a not-for-profit agency, or the CDBG, HOME, and/or SHIP-funded program within the past five (5) years. Emergency or disaster funding is not considered as part of this program’s application.
How to apply
- Download the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Application (PDF)
- Fill out the application and attach the necessary supporting documents
- Submit the application by email or mail
- a. Email- AffordableHousingServices@HCFL.gov
- b. Mail: Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Services
Attn: OOR
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 24th floor
Tampa, FL 33602
Applications will be accepted from Nov. 3 through Feb. 2, 2026.
What's next
We will review the application and notify you of the results.
Contact
If you require assistance with your application, or have other inquiries regarding this program, contact AffordableHousingServices@HCFL.gov or call (813) 635-1610.
OOR events
Hillsborough County staff will be available to assist with applications in person at the following events:
- Date: Nov. 13, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library
2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610 - Date: Nov. 14, 2025
Time: 1– 5 PM
Location: C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library
2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther Jr. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33610 - Date: Nov. 24, 2025
Time: 1 – 5 PM
Location: Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library
11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa, FL 33626 - Date: Dec. 3, 2025
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM
Location: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa, FL 33611 - Date: Dec. 8, 2025
Time: 9 AM - 2 PM
Location: Emmanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center
5855 S. 78th St., Tampa, FL 33619 - Date: Dec. 11, 2025
Time: 9 AM – 2 PM
Location: Sayde Gibbs Martin Community Center
302 S. Maryland Ave., Plant City, FL 33563