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Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance

Manatee County, Florida

Last verified
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Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$400,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance?

Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Manatee County, Florida.

  • Manatee County provides SHIP-funded deferred loan assistance for eligible homebuyers. Max purchase price $400,000. Must apply through a certified lender. Funding cycle typically opens in May.
  • Funding comes from State.

Do you have to pay it back?

Manatee County SHIP Down Payment 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?

Manatee County SHIP Down Payment 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

  • Purchases above the $400,000 price cap
  • 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?

Manatee 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 Manatee County.
  • 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?

Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $400,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Condo, and Townhouse.

Where does it apply?

Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Manatee County, Florida.

How do you apply?

Applications for Manatee County SHIP Down Payment 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.

Learn this program

Short reads on how it works, in plain language. Free, no sign-up needed to read.

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Manatee County SHIP Down Payment Assistance, explained

A short, free course on Manatee County SHIP Down Payment 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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