SHIP Foreclosure Prevention Program- 11.10.25

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Thank you for your interest in the Lake County SHIP Foreclosure Prevention Program. Please note that this program will only serve Lake County Residents.  Applicants may only apply one time per twenty-four (24) month period.

Application Dates

Lake County will open the online application portal beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, November 10, 2025, through Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Funds will be awarded as a grant to income-eligible homeowners who are in need of financial assistance for delinquent first mortgage payments of at least two (2) months but no more than six (6) months to prevent foreclosure. Mortgage payments will only be made for past due amounts and any associated late fees. 

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

Maximum award:

  • Up to $20,000 for Past Due Mortgage Payments & Late Fees

Applications will be processed on a first-qualified, first served basis, based on funding availability. Households who have been assisted by any Lake County mortgage assistance program within the last twenty-four (24) months are not eligible. 

Only completed applications will be processed. A completed application includes all the items listed below. 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;
  • Marriage Cert., Divorce Decree, Death Cert. (if applicable);
  • Proof of Earned Income- 8 weeks/2 months most recent consecutive pay stubs, proof of self-employment, etc;
  • Proof of Benefits (Income)- SSI, SSDI, Child support, Alimony, Unemployment, Worker's Comp, Pensions, Retirement, Annuities, etc.,
  • Checking and Savings Accounts: Three (3) consecutive and most recent account statements for all accounts.
  • Proof of other Assets- Real estate property (other than primary residence), boats, antiques, collections, etc.  
  • Copy of 2025 tax return and W2's. If self-employed, please provide the most recent two (2) years tax returns. 
  • Copy of current mortgage billing statement.
  • Copy of current homeowner's insurance policy.
  • Provide evidence of hardship that caused the arrearage (health issues, loss of employment/income, death of a household member, divorce, etc.)
  • Provide evidence of the ability to resume making payments after the assistance is received. 
  • Proof of enrollment- HUD approved foreclosure counseling class. (Class completion certificate will be required prior to receiving assistance.) Please visit: https://lakecountyfl.gov/housing/home-ownership-assistance for HUD approved classes.  

Any documentation missing will delay the processing and approval of the application. Approved payments will be paid directly to the mortgage 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 after receipt of all documentation and completed application.  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 Foreclosure Prevention 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 applicant 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.  

Eligible Property

The property must:

  • be located within Lake County 
  • be the applicant’s primary residence and have continuously been for the past three (3) years 
  • have a valid homestead exemption for the current year and the two immediately preceding years, for a total of three consecutive years
  • have all property taxes paid and current
  • have an active and current Homeowner's Insurance Policy 
  • be owned by the applicant (named on property warranty deed) PLEASE NOTE: ALL persons named on deed will need to be included on application and all income and assets must be provided. 
  • not be under foreclosure action 

All mortgage providers receiving funds under this program must provide Lake County with a completed IRS Form W-9 for tax purposes. Forms will be sent to the provider by Lake County staff.

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 applicant's 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 Foreclosure Prevention 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 Foreclosure Prevention Program.

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
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