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St. Johns County SHIP Down Payment Assistance

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

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The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A minimum 640 credit score
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Must live or work in St. Johns County for 12+ consecutive months
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A home in St. Johns County

It doesn’t cover

  • Purchases above the $400,000 price cap
  • Households above 120% of area median income
  • Homes outside St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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.

$108,700
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)
Income limits in Florida

Where it applies

St. Johns County’s homes

  • 72.1% single-family
  • 5.3% townhouse
  • 4.3% 2–4 units
  • 13.4% 5+ units
  • 4.9% mobile & other

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

$489,200

St. Johns County median home value

13.9%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in St. Johns 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 minSt. Johns County SHIP Down Payment Assistance, explained

Questions about this program

What is St. Johns County SHIP Down Payment Assistance?

St. Johns County SHIP Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in St. Johns County, Florida. St. Johns County provides up to $100,000 in deferred 0% SHIP assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers. Must live or work in St. Johns County 12+ months. $1,000 minimum buyer contribution. Max purchase price $400,000. Funding comes from State.

How much assistance does it provide?

St. Johns County SHIP Down Payment Assistance offers up to $100,000 in assistance. The program asks homebuyers to contribute $1,000. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

St. Johns 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?

St. Johns 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 640. A homebuyer education course is required. Residency requirement: Must live or work in St. Johns County for 12+ consecutive months. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.

What are the income limits?

St. Johns 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 St. Johns 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?

St. Johns 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?

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

How do you apply?

Applications for St. Johns 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 St. Johns County homebuyers

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

All 85 programs for St. Johns County

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