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Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Columbia County, Florida.

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Check if this fits me Official program site ↗

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A minimum 620 credit score
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • A home in Columbia County

It doesn’t cover

  • Purchases above the $253,000 price cap
  • Households above 120% of area median income
  • Homes outside Columbia County

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

120% of Columbia County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$83,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)
Income limits in Florida

Where it applies

Columbia County’s homes

  • 53.5% single-family
  • 0.7% townhouse
  • 4.2% 2–4 units
  • 6% 5+ units
  • 35.5% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$194,900

Columbia County median home value

31.5%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Columbia County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Free course · 10 minColumbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance, explained

Questions about this program

What is Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Columbia County, Florida. Columbia County SHIP provides up to $30,000 in deferred 0% forgivable loan for eligible homebuyers in Lake City and surrounding Columbia County communities. Max purchase price $253,000. Minimum 1% buyer contribution from own funds. Administered by SREC. Funding comes from State.

Do you have to pay it back?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met. Repayment is triggered by Sale, Refinance, and No longer primary within compliance period. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. The program lists a minimum credit score of 620. A homebuyer education course is required.

What are the income limits?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Income up to 120% AMI for Columbia County (4-person HH ~$91,920). Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $253,000. Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, and Townhouse.

Where does it apply?

Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance serves homebuyers purchasing in Columbia County, Florida.

How do you apply?

Applications for Columbia County SHIP Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Also for Columbia County homebuyers

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 85 programs for Columbia County

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.