How to apply for Hardee County Housing Assistance — SHIP + Grants Management Office

Who it's for

Hardee County's Grants Management Office administers the county's housing-focused safety-net programs through grants from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program and federal HUD CDBG/HOME funding. SHIP provides affordable housing assistance: purchase assistance for first-time homebuyers, emergency home repair, and rehabilitation programs — including AC system replacement, roof repair, septic, and accessibility modifications particularly important for aging-in-place senior homeowners. The Grants Management Office is housed within the Hardee County BOCC at 412 W. Orange Street, Wauchula, FL 33873; main phone (863) 773-9430 with email bcc@hardeecountyfl.gov. Given Hardee's small population and limited county-administered safety-net infrastructure, residents in housing or utility crisis are also routed to nonprofit partners and the Florida statewide LIHEAP program. For seniors specifically, contacting NU-HOPE Elder Care Services or the SCC Elder Helpline (1-800-336-2226) can produce more efficient routing because senior-focused agencies often know current funding capacity across the partner network.

What you'll need

• Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
• Proof of Hardee County residency
• Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099, tax return)
• Proof of household size
• Proof of homeownership (for SHIP Emergency Repair and Rehabilitation programs)
• Estimate or contractor quote for repairs (for SHIP Emergency Repair)
• Contact Hardee County BOCC at (863) 773-9430 to inquire about current SHIP funding cycles

Where to apply

Renewals

SHIP funding-cycle dependent; per-repair-event for Emergency Repair