Okeechobee County SHIP Housing Assistance: Funding Priority for Veterans

Florida's State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program gives every county money for affordable housing under a Local Housing Assistance Plan (sections 420.907 to 420.9079). Okeechobee County's plan covers state fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27 and 2027-28 (Resolution 2025-13); Resolution 2026-69, on the Board's October 8, 2026 agenda, adds a manufactured housing strategy and leaves the rest unchanged. The veteran priority. "Applicants will be selected on a first qualified, first served basis with priority for Very Low, Special Needs and Veterans (former military personnel or spouse that have been verified as a veteran under Florida Administrative Code Rule 55A-7.009, DD2-14)." Only after those three groups are other applications assisted to meet the plan's low-income, essential-service-personnel and moderate-income set-asides. The plan's "DD2-14" means the DD-214. The annual report presented on October 8, 2026 shows one eviction prevention award of $3,200 to a military veteran. What the plan funds. Purchase assistance without rehabilitation for first-time buyers (up to $40,000 very low income, $25,000 low, $15,000 moderate, as a deferred loan); emergency repair (up to $17,500); owner-occupied rehabilitation (up to $30,000, deferred loan); disaster assistance (up to $10,000); eviction prevention and foreclosure prevention (up to $4,500 each, grants); and first and last month's rent (up to $3,000, grant). Income limits apply to every strategy. Applying. When this entry was written the county's SHIP page said "Okeechobee County is not accepting SHIP applications at this time"; a notice of funding availability is advertised when the application period reopens. Affordable Housing, 304 NW 2nd Street, Okeechobee; (863) 824-3078. Bring the DD-214 to claim the veteran priority.