Thank you for your interest in the Lake County SHIP Rental and Utility Assistance Program. Please note that this program will only serve Lake County Residents.  Applicants may only apply one time per twelve (12) month period.

Funds will be awarded to renter households in need of assistance for: security and utility deposit assistance; and/or rent subsidies for up to twelve (12) months payment of back rent and utilities to prevent homelessness. Security Deposit assistance can be up to first and/or last month’s contract/lease rent amount. Rental payments will only be made for past due rent. 

Income Categories to be served: Very low, Low, and Moderate.

Maximum award:

• up to $3,000 Security/Utility Deposits
• up to $15,000 Prevention Rental Assistance for past due rent.

The first twenty-five (25) applications will be reviewed each month for income eligibility on a first-qualified, first served basis, based on funding availability. Households who have been assisted by any Lake County rent or utility assistance program within the last twelve (12) months are not eligible. 

All requested documentation must be uploaded at the time of application. Incomplete applications will be declined. All correspondence regarding applications (application questions, status updates, etc.) will be managed through the Submittable online portal. Please be prepared to upload the required documentation listed below:

• Photo Identification for all household members 18 yrs. and over;
• Social Security Cards for all household members;
• Birth Certificates for all household members;
• Court-ordered letters of guardianship or letters of adoption;
• If a dependent 18 yrs. or older and is a full-time student, submit a copy of their class schedule in addition to the above documents; 
• Divorce decree if applicable;
• Proof of income including (8 weeks / 2 months) most recent consecutive pay stubs; or most current tax return and W2 if you cannot provide paystubs. Social Security, Child Support and/or Alimony award letter.
• Proof of assets including bank statements (6 consecutive months) most recent for all checking accounts; current, most recent savings account statement for all savings accounts.
• 401K/401A retirement assets documentation.  

Approved payments will be paid directly to the landlord or utility provider. No payments will be made directly to the applicant. If approved, a letter of approval will be posted on the applicant’s Submittable portal. Payment processing may take up to 45 days.  Applicant should check their messages in their Submittable portal for updates.

The County will utilize State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds to conduct activities associated with the Rental Assistance Program. The rules and regulations associated with Sections 420.9071-420.9079 F.S. chapter 67-37 F.A.C. will govern the use of such funds; when applicable.

Applicant(s) must meet gross annual income not exceeding 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) limits established by HUD for the jurisdiction of Kissimmee-Orlando-Sanford MSA. The applicable low-income limits for determining program eligibility are published by HUD in the federal register and are undated annually. The occupant household’s gross annual income (for the purpose of determining program eligibility) shall be calculated according to the HUD regulations identified in the Code of Federal regulation at 24 CFR, Part 5.  

Applicant(s) must be able to pay the difference owed if the contract rent exceeds the SHIP rental limits (not to exceed 120% AMI). Please see rent and income limits on Lake County's SHIP Program webpage.

Eligible Properties

Eligible properties must be located within Lake County. The following types of housing units are not eligible for this program:

• Hotel/Motels
• Rooming/Halfway Houses
• Units deemed uninhabitable by Code Enforcement
• Units not in compliance with State and local ordinances
• Properties owned by an immediate family member of applicant (parents, step-parents, children, siblings or grand-parents)
• Properties where applicant is listed as an owner
• Properties where an applicant resides with the Owner

All landlords receiving funds under the program must provide Lake County with a completed IRS Form W-9 and Owner Affidavit for tax purposes. These forms will be sent to the landlord by Lake County.

Public Records Disclosure

Information provided by the applicant may be subject to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes regarding Open Records. Information provided by the applicant that is not protected by Florida Statues can be requested by any individual for their review and/or use. This is without regard as to whether or not the applicant qualifies for funding under the program(s) for which they've applied.

Notice of Collecting Social Security Number

The County collects applicants social security numbers for a number of different purposes. The Florida Public Records Law (specifically, section 119.071(5), Florida Statutes (2007), requires the County to provide this written statement explaining the purpose and authority for collecting social security numbers.

An applicant's Social Security Number is collected for the purposes of income certifying the applicant for the Lake County SHIP Rental & Utility Assistance Program which requires third-party verification of assets, employment and income. 

In addition, this information may be collected to verify unemployment benefits, social security/disability benefits and other related information necessary to determine income and assets and your eligibility for the program that is funded by local, Federal and/or State program dollars. Social security numbers will not be used for any other intended purpose other than verifying eligibility for the Lake County SHIP Rental & Utility Assistance Program.

Applicant must demonstrate that the household is at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing housing instability by providing a ledger showing the Applicant's housing costs are past due. This must be signed and dated by the landlord. 

Persons with disabilities needing assistance with this form should contact (352)742-6539; if you are hearing or voice impaired, please contact 711 or (352)253-1840.

Total household income for the calendar year 2023 must be at or below 120% of the area median income for Lake County. Total household income for 2023 will be determined by adding together the adjusted gross income (IRS Form 1040 line 11) for each household member that received income in the calendar year 2022. Please refer to the chart below for income limits by household size:  

120% 2023 Income Limits                                

Household Size     Qualifying Income

1                               < $73,800

2                              < $84,360

3                              < $94,920

4                              < $105,360

5                              < $113,880

6                              < $122,280

7                              < $130,680

8                              < $139,080

Restrictions

• Landlords may not live in the same unit as tenant(s).
• No verbal leases allowed.
• Roommates may apply but are assessed as a total household and income tax returns (IRS Form 1040) will be required for all members of the household that received income in the calendar year 2022.

Required Documentation/Information

• Written lease with terms and conditions signed by landlord and tenant. The minimum terms to be included: landlord name and address, tenant name, leased property address, start date, end date, amount of rent, frequency of payment (monthly, weekly, etc.), clause related to non-compliance with lease terms (example: termination/eviction clause), where/how rent is to be paid and to whom. Other allowable fees must be clearly identified in the lease agreement to be eligible.
• Landlord’s mailing address, phone number and email address.
• For each adult in the household:

               - Government issued ID    

               - A completed 2022 Tax Return (Form 1040) for each adult household member that received income in calendar year 2022 if no paystubs are available. Paper/mailed tax returns must be signed. For e-filing applications, the applicant will need to include a Form 8879 or confirmation page from the tax preparation and filing software/organization.

              - If no 2022 Tax Return was filed but you had Social Security income for the year 2023, a Social Security Award letter is required.

Gender, race and ethnicity for the Primary Applicant. This information will be collected for reporting purposes only. This information is required by the Federal grantor and will not be used in the decision-making process.

Award

The maximum award for rental assistance per household is $15,000.

• Qualified households are eligible to receive up to 12 months of past due rent. 
• Qualified households are eligible to receive past due utility assistance and rental deposit charges.