Benefits · General Assistance
How to apply for Highlands County Housing Office + SHIP Affordable Housing
Highlands County Housing Office — Community Programs Division
Who it's for
Highlands County's Housing Office administers the county's housing-focused safety-net programs through its Community Programs Division. The Housing Office is located at 618 S. Commerce Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870, with Kimberly Wean as Housing Program Manager. The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program funds affordable housing assistance: purchase assistance for first-time homebuyers, emergency home repair, and rehabilitation programs — including the AC system replacement, roof repair, septic, and accessibility modifications that are particularly important for aging-in-place senior homeowners. Highlands County previously operated a Rapid Re-Housing / Rental Assistance Program; that program is currently closed but housing rehabilitation assistance through SHIP remains available. The Housing Office is open for appointments only — call (863) 402-6648 to schedule. For utility-bill assistance and emergency aid beyond housing, Highlands residents typically access partner agencies including the Salvation Army of Sebring, the United Way of Heartland, and Catholic Charities of Highlands County.
Highlands' Rapid Re-Housing/Rental Assistance Program is CURRENTLY CLOSED — for current rental aid, residents need to contact partner nonprofits (Salvation Army of Sebring, United Way of Heartland, Catholic Charities of Highlands County) directly. Housing Office's primary active program is SHIP, focused on homeowner rehabilitation rather than tenant rental assistance. The income gate modeled here (~80% AMI / $47,000 for 1-person household 2026 in Sebring MSA) is the typical SHIP/HUD threshold; specific sub-programs may use stricter gates. SHIP Emergency Repair can fund AC system replacement (especially valuable for senior homeowners in Florida heat), roof repair, septic, and accessibility modifications. The Housing Office operates BY APPOINTMENT ONLY — call (863) 402-6648 to schedule before visiting.
What you'll need
- Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Proof of Highlands 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)
- Appointment scheduled with Housing Office (call 863-402-6648; appointments only)
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 863-402-6648
Renewals
SHIP funding-cycle dependent; per-repair-event for Emergency Repair
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.