The City of Winter Haven State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program provides Down Payment Assistance to eligible homebuyers purchasing a home within the City of Winter Haven.

Eligible homebuyers may receive up to $60,000 in Down Payment Assistance, depending on household income and program requirements.

Realtors

The City of Winter Haven does not currently publish a public list of approved Realtors for its SHIP Down Payment Assistance Program.

Realtors working with Winter Haven DPA buyers should understand the program requirements and coordinate with the buyer's SHIP-eligible lender and the program administrator throughout the transaction.

At this time, we have not found a City requirement that Realtors must be on an approved Realtor list in order to represent a buyer using Winter Haven SHIP assistance.

Lenders

A SHIP-eligible lender is required.

The City of Winter Haven's Down Payment Assistance application packet requires the buyer to provide a mortgage preapproval from a SHIP-eligible lender.

The City does not currently appear to publish a public list of SHIP-eligible lenders. Mortgage professionals interested in working with Winter Haven SHIP buyers should contact the program administrator to confirm the current requirements for becoming or remaining an eligible lender.

How Can a Lender Participate?

Lenders interested in working with Winter Haven SHIP Down Payment Assistance buyers should contact the City's SHIP program administrator:

Dawn M. Cobb, Grant Administrator
Guardian Community Resource Management
📞 352-437-3902
📧 Grant.Administrator@guardiancrm.com

Lenders should ask:

“What are the current requirements to become a SHIP-eligible lender for the City of Winter Haven Down Payment Assistance Program?”

City of Winter Haven Housing Contact

Nancy Hurley
Affordable Housing Compliance Manager
📞 863-291-5600 Ext. 2105
📧 nhurley@mywinterhaven.com

Winter Haven DPA Program Highlights

• Up to $60,000 in Down Payment Assistance may be available.
• Property must be located within Winter Haven city limits.
• Buyer must be able to obtain a traditional first mortgage from a SHIP-eligible lender.
• Buyer must not have owned a home during the previous three years.
• Buyer must complete an eight-hour homebuyer workshop.
• Assistance is structured as a 0% interest deferred/forgivable loan with a five-year term.
• Eligible properties include single-family homes, condominiums and townhouses.
• Mobile homes are not eligible under the current program.
• Funding is subject to availability and program requirements.

Important Notice

Being listed on DPA Compass or R Community First does not mean that a Realtor or lender is officially approved, endorsed, or certified by the City of Winter Haven.

Homebuyers, Realtors, and lenders should verify current program requirements and lender eligibility directly with the City of Winter Haven or its SHIP program administrator before entering into a transaction involving Down Payment Assistance.

Program information can change based on funding availability, SHIP guidelines, and City policies.