Housing Programs

House

Overview

The Neighborhood Services Department oversees housing programs and works year-round to leverage funding for City projects and neighborhood programs through grants. The division plans and administers federal, state, local and other types of grants for the City at large.

These programs help expand the City’s ability to complete improvement projects and encourage City staff to responsibly pursue external funding opportunities.

Current Statuses

Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance Program: Due to high demand, the pre-application form opened on Oct. 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. and closed by 9:13 a.m., having reached its maximum of 100 submissions.

Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2): The City re-opened the program for applications on Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. Currently, the program is closed to allow time for processing the submitted applications. If additional funding remains, the City plans to re-open applications by the end of January 2025. Please check here for updates.

Contact

For questions about Housing Programs, contact the Neighborhood Services Department:

Phone: 772-344-4084
Email: Housing@cityofpsl.com
Address: City Hall, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd.

Call 211 Helpline for immediate housing assistance

If you need immediate assistance regarding housing, please call 211 to speak with a highly trained resource specialist. Calls to 211 Helpline are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff will listen to each individual's situation to provide information on available social services, community services and resources that include food assistance, medical clinics, foreclosure prevention, parenting information on developmental concerns (Help Me Grow) & special needs, senior services that include free "Sunshine" daily calls, services for teens and more.

Homebuyer Assistance Program

The City of Port St. Lucie, in partnership with the Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast (CLT of PBCTC), launched a new PSL's Homebuyer Assistance Program.

The program is funded by a federal grant through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It is specifically tailored to support moderate-income buyers who reside and/or work in Port St. Lucie. The program provides substantial financial assistance, to help potential buyers purchase a home in Port St. Lucie, which will become part of the CLT of PBCTC.

Current Status: Closed

Online applications opened at 12 p.m. on June 12, 2024 and closed at 5 p.m. on June 17, 2024.

Eligibility

Applicants must be first-time home buyers and mortgage-ready. Eligible applicants must currently live and/or work in the City of Port St. Lucie. All completed applications will be randomized and given a number. Then, the applications will be processed, based on that number.

What do I need to complete the application?

To learn more about the program and begin preparing to apply, please visit the CLT of PBCTC website.

Below is a list of documents and information to have on hand to complete the homeownership application:

  • Most recent bank statement for all accounts of all adults in household
  • Most recent pay stub‐for annual income for all adults in household
  • If self‐employed, Schedule C from most recent tax return or Profit and Loss
  • Names and date of birth for all persons that will be living in the home, including children and non‐buying adults such as an elderly parent
  • Proof of any other income such as pension, SSI, SSID, child support, etc.
  • List of debts with creditor, balance owed, and monthly payment, i.e., each credit card, car note, student loan, personal loan

How to apply

How to apply online

To apply online, visit the CLT of PBCTC websiteThe information on the website will assist you in determining if you qualify.

How to apply in person

If you have issues accessing the online application and need to make an appointment or speak with someone to arrange assistance with applying in person or over the phone, call Alex Tasca in the Neighborhood Services Department at (772) 579-3927.

Public Information Sessions

On June 5, 2024, the City hosted two public information sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at City Hall and online via Zoom to provide detailed information to interested applicants. It is highly recommended that applicants read all the information about the program on the CLT's website and watch the recording of the information session to be completely informed about the program.

Watch the information session

Contact

For questions about this program, please contact:

Christina Hewitt
NCHEC Certified Pre Purchase Housing and Credit Counselor
Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast
Phone: 772-871-5283
Email: chewitt@cltofpbc.org

Neighborhood Stabilization Programs NSP1 and NSP3

The City was allocated grant funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Programs NSP1 and NSP3 in 2008 and 2011 as a result of the Great Recession.

Current Status: Closed

The City is working towards closing the NSP1 and NSP3 programs and funding. Funding for NSP3 has been exhausted. The remaining NSP1 funding will be used to continue the Homebuyer Assistance Program.

Quarterly NSP Reports

Rental Assistance Program for Seniors

Current Status: Closed

If you are 62 years or older and struggling to pay your rent, the City of Port St. Lucie accepted applications starting at noon on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, through Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at 4 p.m., for a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA).

The City was awarded $259,000 in rent relief funds through the Federal HOME program, managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Seniors, age 62 or older, residing or working within the City limits, not earning more than the federal income limits, are eligible to apply for a minimum of 12 months of rental assistance. The amount, level and term of assistance shall be based on a sliding scale determined by household income and the cost of the rental unit.

The approved applicants will be issued a coupon (voucher). These funds may be used towards rent, a security deposit or a security deposit along with a utility deposit if the applicant needs to relocate. The recipient must contribute 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards the approved rent.

The City processes all applications in the order they were received and approves TBRA vouchers until funding has been exhausted. Staff contacts individual applicants and communicates the various steps of the process as necessary.

Applicants who apply and meet all of the eligibility criteria are notified by City staff about the status of their application by telephone, email and mail.

General Program Information

General program information can be found at 24 CFR Part 5, such as income and other eligibility issues. Program specific information can be found at 24 CFR Part 982, that speak to Housing Quality Standards and rent reasonableness. The HOME TBRA regulations can be found at 24 CFR, Part 92. These regulations are intended to assist the applicant in providing a responsive application for consideration. The program can also be a stand-alone deposit assistance program, providing security and utility deposits to eligible relocating families.

*The City reserves the right to publish updates and adjust the program, in line with Federal and State regulations.

Contact

Email questions to TBRA@cityofpsl.com or call 772-344-4084.

If a resident has difficulty accessing information, the City will accommodate any special requests to the best of its ability. St. Lucie County libraries offer free computer access and assistance in setting up an email account and creating an application.

State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program

The SHIP Program is administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable home ownership. SHIP funds are distributed on an entitlement basis to all 67 counties and 52 Community Development Block Grant entitlement cities in Florida.

LHAP Local Housing Assistance Plan

The Neighborhood Services Department administers this grant program for the City and develops the three-year Local Housing Assistance Plans for the program.

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC)

The City of Port St. Lucie created the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) by Ordinance 08-42. The purpose of this 9 member committee, as described by 420.9076 Fla. Stat., is to:

  • review policies, procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and the adopted local government comprehensive plan
  • recommend specific actions or initiatives to encourage or facilitate affordable housing while protecting the ability of the property to appreciate in value.

As of 2020, the committee is required to submit a report annually, as opposed to triennially, to the City Council that includes recommendations on and evaluates the implementation of affordable housing incentives as required by 420.9076(4) Fla. Stat. The City's Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) will also be reviewed and edited by the Committee for triennial submission to the State's Florida Housing Coalition (FHC). The recommendations may include the modification or repeal of existing policies, procedures, ordinances, regulations, or plan provisions; the creation of exceptions applicable to affordable housing; or the adoption of new policies, procedures, regulations, ordinances, or plan provisions, including recommendations to amend the local government comprehensive plan and corresponding regulations, ordinances and other policies.

More information about the State's research and activities on affordable housing can be found at www.flhousing.org.

The Committee is appointed by the City Council to make recommendations to the City Council on Affordable Housing issues.

The City of Port St. Lucie's AHAC

The Committee will consist of nine members subject to the Sunshine Law's provisions and serve voluntarily. Qualified candidates must reside within the City of Port St. Lucie. The Committee is held annually and must consist of one local, elected official and representatives from at least 6 of the following categories.

Eight individual member seats are available for residents actively engaged in one or more of the areas listed below:

  1. A citizen who is actively engaged in the residential home-building industry in connection with affordable housing.
  2. A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing.
  3. A citizen who is a representative of those areas of labor actively engaged in home building in connection with affordable housing.
  4. A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing.
  5. A citizen who is actively engaged as a for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  6. A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing.
  7. A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing.
  8. A citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency pursuant to section 163.3174, Florida Statutes, notwithstanding any City ordinance or resolution to the contrary. Only one citizen who actively serves on the local planning agency may serve on the affordable housing advisory committee.
  9. A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments.
  10. A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction.
  11. A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan.

Current members of the City's AHAC (FY 2024-2025)

MEMBER AHAC POSITION EXPERTISE
Anthony Bonna Local Elected Official, City Council, District 3 Councilman Cityof Port St. Lucie
Dawn Burlace A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing. Broker/owner, Mortgage loan originator, FL Real Estate Navigators
Sameia Hawkins A citizen who is actively engaged as an advocate for low-income persons in connection with affordable housing. Housing Office Coordinator, Seminole Tribe of Florida
Rebecca Danise A citizen who is actively engaged in the banking or mortgage industry in connection with affordable housing. Realtor, Baron Real Estate Group, Banker with 30 years of expertise in underwriting, grants and HUD compliance
Quinesha "Nikki" Adderly-Hawkins A citizen who is actively engaged as a real estate professional in connection with affordable housing. Founder & CEO Atlante Development Group, Realtor, Central Coast Realty

Stefan Obel

A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. City of Port St Lucie resident, IT Security Engineer, Chairperson of the Homeowner Selection and Support Committee, underwriter/loan originator & volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
Stephanie Heidt A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. City of Port St Lucie resident, certified planner and Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Economic Development and Intergovernmental Programs
Cynthia Herrera A citizen who represents the employers within the jurisdiction. Department Manager, Walmart
Kylie Fuhr A citizen who represents essential services personnel, as defined in the local housing assistance plan. SLC Public Schools District Homeless Liaison
Immacula Carpentier (alternate member) A citizen who is actively engaged as a not-for-profit provider of affordable housing. Director Lease Administration, Prestige Estates Property Management
Sandy Colon (alternate member) A citizen who resides within the jurisdiction of the local governing body making the appointments. Retired, Director of Housing, Urban League of Palm Beach County

Reports

All meeting agendas and minutes are available at psl.legistar.com.

Live Local Act (Senate Bill 102)

The Live Local Act requires the City to publish an inventory list of city owned real property which may be appropriate for affordable housing development by Oct. 1, 2023.

The City of Port St. Lucie has identified city owned parcels of land which may be appropriate for affordable housing development as part of it's regular AHAC activities via the Neighborhood Services Department and has documented said parcels of land in an inventory list referenced as Exhibit “A” of Resolution 23-R106(PDF, 153KB) that was adopted by City Council on Sept. 25, 2023.

Learn more about the Live Local Act from the Florida Governor's Office and Florida Housing Coalition.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the AHAC, please call Neighborhood Services at 772-344-4084 or email NSD@cityofpsl.com

Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance Program

The Neighborhood Services Department administers a state funded housing homeowner repair and rehabilitation program (with SHIP funds), when funds are available. When SHIP funds are limited, the City may also utilize Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to supplement the program.

Current status: Closed

The Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance Program opened at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 with a maximum of 100 application submissions. 

Pre-Application Form

Update: Due to high demand, the pre-application form opened on October 1, 2024, at 9 a.m. and closed by 9:13 a.m., having reached its maximum of 100 submissions.

The City processes all pre-applications on the list in batches of twenty at a time. Applicants may need to wait six or twelve months before they are contacted by phone and email to complete the next steps in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. How do I qualify for Owner Occupied Rehabilitation Program assistance?
  • Households must meet income limit guidelines
  • Mortgage and Property Taxes must be current
  • Property must be:
    • located in Port St. Lucie city limits (see #2)
    • the primary residence of the homeowner/applicant for 1 year or more (see #10)
    • assessed at $560,154 or less
#2. What are the income limits?

Households must be classified under S.H.I.P. guidelines to be eligible for the program. Income 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. Household income must not exceed the current income limits (adjusted for family size) are as follows:

2024 Income Limits by family size:

Family Size Extremely Low Very Low Low
1 $19,250 $32,100 $51,350
2 $22,000 $36,700 $58,700
3 $25,820 $41,300 $66,050
4 $31,200 $45,850 $73,350
5 $36,580 $49,550 $79,250
6 $41,960 $53,200 $85,100
7 $47,340 $56,900 $91,000
8 $52,720 $60,550 $96,850


#3. Is there a limit on cash I may have saved?

Cash available should not exceed $15,000. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.

#4. How much assistance is available?
  1. Comprehensive Repair Rehabilitation program is $50,000.
  2. Limited Repair Rehabilitation program is $15,000.
  3. Accessibility/Retrofit (Special Needs) program is $15,000.
  4. Disaster Recovery program is $25,000.
  5. Water or Sewer Connection program is $7,600 (Grant)
  6. Water/Sewer Assessment program is $5,000 (Grant)
#5. Do I pay back the money I receive?

Assistance is in the form of a deferred payment loan (DPL). You will sign a note and mortgage for the maximum amount of assistance available. When all repairs are completed, you will sign a corrective note for the actual amount of program funding utilized. The mortgage will be recorded as a lien against your property until the note is satisfied. There is no interest and no payments are made unless there is a default, or the home is sold.

  1. The DPL for Comprehensive Repair/Rehabilitation Program will be forgiven at the rate of 1/15 of the amount of assistance each year until the entire amount of the loan is forgiven in its entirety after 15 years.
  2. The DPL for Limited Repair/Rehabilitation, Accessibility/Retrofit and Disaster Recovery Programs will be forgiven at the rate of 20% of the amount of assistance each year until the entire amount of the loan is forgiven in its entirety after 5 years.
#6. Can I repair/rehab my manufactured home?

Manufactured homes do not qualify for assistance under this program.

#7. 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 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 if the work is eligible and there is sufficient funding; otherwise the matter will be referred to the building department for appropriate action.

#8. Are there funds available for water/sewer assessment and/or water/sewer hookup assistance?

Households may qualify for payment of the remaining balance of the water/sewer assessment fee and water/sewer hookup fee, funds for this activity are limited. Please call 772-344-4084 for more information on funding availability.

#9. Does Neighborhood Services hire the contractors?

You select your own licensed contractors. You must obtain three (3) bids for each job. Bids must be based on standard builder-grade replacements/improvements. For jobs of $2,500 or more we will schedule a pre-construction conference with you, the contractor(s), and a representative from our inspection service. You will review and sign a written agreement with the contractor(s), indicating the general requirements for any work funded under the Program.

#10. Do I need to have good credit to get assistance?

Applicants do not need to have good credit to apply. However, if your home is in foreclosure, if a bankruptcy action affecting the home has been filed, if you are behind on your home loan payment or property taxes, or if it appears you cannot sustain your housing payment, or pay impending taxes or homeowner’s insurance, the funding may be delayed until the payments are brought current or sustainability has been established.

#11. How do I apply for assistance?

Neighborhood Services establishes a list for clients who need assistance when funding is available. For information on funding availability, please call 772-871-5284, check the Housing Programs page at www.cityofpsl.com/housing, or send an email to nsd@cityofpsl.com. Clients on the repair/rehab waiting list will be chosen on a first come, first served basis unless selection by income is required to maintain compliance with State guidelines. Special Needs applicants may also receive priority in order to maintain required set-asides for funding.

#12. When will I know if I have been selected?

We are required to send verifications to confirm all sources of income and assets. This process usually takes a few weeks. If you are qualified, your file will be chosen on a “first-come, first-ready” basis. You will receive a letter letting you know whether you have been selected and the status of your application.

#13. Will I be allowed to refinance if I receive housing assistance?

In order for you to receive assistance, we place a mortgage against your property and must approve of any refinancing that you may be considering. The City’s current policy allows for refinancing (subordination of our mortgage), if the household will benefit with an interest rate and/or housing payment reduction sufficient to offset the costs of refinancing. You may not receive any funds (cash out) in the transaction, but the City may approve of funds paid directly to a contractor for home improvements. In general, the City will require that its original mortgage position be maintained, and that tax and insurance payments be escrowed. This policy is subject to change at any time.

#14. Can I apply for assistance more than once?

Households may not qualify for additional funding under the same strategy even if the original loan has been satisfied.

Contractors

The City provides applicants with a list of contractors who have worked or would like to provide repair/rehabilitation services under this program. Homeowners can select their own licensed and registered general, residential, or building contractors to complete the repair/rehabilitation work. All contractors are subject to approval. 

If you are a contractor and are interested in working with the program, call the Neighborhood Services Department at 772-344-4084.

Press Releases and History

Press Releases

History

The City closed the last Homeowner Repair & Rehabilitation Assistance Program "Pre-application List" on September 7, 2020, due to funding availability for the following programs:

  • Comprehensive Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
  • Limited Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
  • Accessibility/Retrofit (Special Needs)
  • Water/Sewer Connection
  • Water/Sewer Assessment Payment

However, SHIP funding was approved in the State of Florida's budget for FY 21/22 and FY 22/23 funding years. The City is set to receive $2,054,125 during this fiscal year FY 22/23. Per the rules and regulations of the program, the City advertised and announced by press release when the Repair and Rehabilitation pre-application list was re-opened on October 3, 2022.

Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2)

The City has partnered with the area’s Continuum of Care (CoC), the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council, Inc. (TCHSC), to administer the final phase of the Emergency Rental Assistance 2 (ERA2) program. A total of $400,000 in grant funds will be used to provide emergency rental assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness in the Port St. Lucie area through the ERA2 Rapid-Rehousing Program. Imminent risk of homelessness is defined as an individual or family that is facing a loss of housing within 14 days, often under eviction.

This program seeks to connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness with stable, permanent housing solutions. Rapid Rehousing programs can provide supportive services such as housing stabilization case management, housing navigation, referrals and tenant-based rental assistance to help participants successfully transition into permanent housing.

The $400,000 grant will be available to assist program participants until the funds are exhausted or by Sept. 30, 2025, whichever comes first.

First and second month’s rent, rental security deposit and utility security deposit will be provided as part of the assistance for approved applicants and depending on individual household circumstances. Additional services that may be provided are housing stabilization case management, housing navigation, referral to supportive services and tenant-based rental assistance.

Application Process

The City re-opened the program for applications on Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. Currently, the program is closed to allow time for processing the submitted applications. If additional funding remains, the City plans to re-open applications by the end of January 2025. Please check here for updates.

The TCHSC is the entity responsible for application intake if you are interested in applying for the program you may contact them directly by calling (772) 213-9040.

Eligibility

You must meet eligibility criteria to qualify for the program. Eligibility is based on Section 3201 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117-2:

  1. One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or a reduction in income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly, or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic.
  2. One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability.
  3. The household is a low-income family (as defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 a(b)).
    1. Priority will be given to households that are very low-income.

Federal Area Median Income (AMI) Limits: St. Lucie County 2024

Household Size 1 2 3 4 5

50% AMI

$32,100

$36,700

$41,300

$45,850

$49,550

80% AMI

$51,350

$58,700

$66,050

$73,350

$79,250

*if your gross total household income (before taxes), is more than the amount listed, under 80% AMI, for your household size, please do not apply, as you will not qualify for the program.