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HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance

Polk County, Florida

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Polk County, Florida.

  • HANDS of Central Florida administers Polk County SHIP funds: Very Low Income up to $30,000 DPA + $8,000 closing costs; Moderate Income up to $15,000 + $6,000 closing costs.
  • Funding comes from State.

Do you have to pay it back?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, Refinance, and Transfer of Title.
  • 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?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • 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

The program excludes

  • Households above 120% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Very Low Income (≤50% AMI): up to $38,000 total; Moderate Income (≤120% AMI): up to $21,000 total.
  • 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?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance can be used for Single Family, Condo, and Townhouse.

Where does it apply?

HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Polk County, Florida.

How do you apply?

Applications for HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance, explained

A short, free course on HANDS of Central Florida - Polk County SHIP Purchase Assistance: what it is, who it is for, when it is repaid, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

5 modules · About 10 minutes

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