How do I qualify for Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program assistance?
- Households must meet income guidelines
- Mortgage and property taxes must be current
- Property must be located within the City of Port St. Lucie
- Must be the primary residence of the applicant for at least 1 year
- Home must be assessed at $560,154 or less
What are the income limits?
Households must qualify under S.H.I.P. guidelines to be eligible for the program. Income may not exceed limits (see chart) and includes gross wages, income from assets, retirement, social security, disability, unemployment and any other resources or benefits received by household members age 18 and older. These limits are updated annually based on Federal guidelines.
2025 Income Limits by Family/Household Size:
| Family Size |
Max Gross Income (before taxes) |
| 1 |
$53,050 |
| 2 |
$60,600 |
| 3 |
$68,200 |
| 4 |
$75,750 |
| 5 |
$81,850 |
| 6 |
$87,900 |
| 7 |
$93,950 |
| 8 |
$100,000 |
Is there a limit on cash I may have saved?
Cash available should not exceed $15,000. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.
How much assistance is available?
- Comprehensive Repair Rehabilitation: $50,000; 15-year lien; reduces by 6.67% annually
- Limited Repair Rehabilitation: $20,000; 5-year lien; reduces by 20% annually
- Accessibility/Retrofit/Special Needs: $15,000; 5-year lien, reduces by 20% annually
- Disaster Recovery: $25,000; 5-year lien; reduces by 20% annually
- Septic-to-sewer Connection/Conversion or Assessment payoff: Households may qualify for payment of the remaining balance of an assessment fee or septic-to-sewer conversion/connection fees. Funds for this activity are limited. Call 772-344-4084 for more information or to fill out the pre-application request form online at cityofpsl.com/sewer. These are grant funds, forgiveness not acceptable.
Do I pay back the money I receive?
Except for the septic-to-sewer grants, all programs are deferred payment loans (DPLs) that become fully forgivable over time. You sign a note and mortgage for the maximum assistance then a corrective note for the actual amount used after repairs.
A mortgage lien is placed on your property until the note is paid off. No interest accrues and no payments are required unless you default, opt for cash-out refinance or sell the home.
Can I repair/rehab my manufactured home?
Manufactured homes do not qualify for assistance under this program.
What types of home repair/rehab and/or special needs items will qualify?
The program provides funds to assist in eliminating housing related code violations and correcting safety and sanitary issues. We may also provide wind mitigation improvements, such as hurricane shutters, or accessibility/ retrofit items to assist disabled household members with increased access and/or use of their homes. These modifications include either structural adaptations or addition of an apparatus that is permanently affixed to the housing unit. Pools and/or hot tubs are not eligible for repair. A home inspection is performed, and the inspector and housing coordinator will provide you with a list of approved repairs. Illegal structures and non-permitted repairs/remodeling, such as converted garages, non-permitted electrical repairs, etc. will need to be removed, returned to the original use, or brought up to code either by the homeowner or under the program if the work is eligible and there is funding.
Does the City hire the contractors?
Approved applicants choose their own licensed contractors and must obtain three standard builder-grade bids per job. For projects of $2,500 or more, a pre-construction conference is held with the contractor(s) and an inspector, and a written agreement outlining the work is signed.
Do I need to have good credit to get assistance?
Good credit isn't required. However, if your home is in foreclosure, bankruptcy, or you're behind on payments or taxes, or if you can't sustain your housing payment, funding may be delayed or denied.
How do I apply for assistance?
When funding is available, a pre-application form will open online. For updates, check our website at www.cityofpsl.com/housing, email nsd@cityofpsl.com, or sign up for City emails at www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed.
When will I know if I have been selected?
If invited to apply fully, required verifications may take several weeks. You will then receive a letter detailing your approval status and next steps.
Can I apply for assistance more than once?
Households may not receive additional funding under the same program even if the original loan is repaid and must wait one year before applying to a different program.
Will I be allowed to refinance if I receive housing assistance?
To receive assistance, we place a mortgage on your property and must approve any refinancing. Refinancing that reduces your interest rate or housing payment enough to offset costs is allowed (even if it subordinates your mortgage). Cash-out funds aren't permitted unless you pay off the remaining lien, and the City generally requires its original mortgage position be maintained. Also, no refinancing or remodeling is allowed during program repairs.