Program offers financial assistance for low-income homeowners to help bring homes into compliance or make other necessary repairs
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2026) - Hillsborough County has extended the deadline for residents to apply for assistance to repair their homes under Affordable Housing Services' Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program.
Application forms are available online. The deadline was previously Feb. 2 but will now be extended until all funding has been used to help homeowners. While the timing of the program means some of the repairs eligible for funding are likely to be related to damage from Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby, the program also covers non-storm-related repairs.
The Hillsborough County Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program is designed to ensure low, very low, and moderate income Hillsborough County families have the opportunity to live in safe, decent, and sanitary homes. The countywide initiative utilizes State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) and Local Housing Trust Funds (HOPE) to rehabilitate the homes of residents who live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City, Temple Terrace, and the City of Tampa. The program provides financial assistance to homeowners who cannot afford to bring their homes into compliance with the Florida Building Code or make other necessary repairs affecting life, health, safety, and accessibility. There are income restrictions, and the program focuses on single-family homes that have been homesteaded as a primary residence for at least two years. Priority will be given to special needs, elderly, and disabled households.
Eligible funding may be used for:
- Roof repair or replacement
- Failure of electrical, plumbing, or HVAC systems
- Failure of structural systems such as floors and structural walls
- Exterior/interior deterioration (walls, foundation, porches, siding, etc.)
- Water heater replacement
- Accessibility improvement (ramps, widening doorways, countertops, bathroom and kitchen modifications, etc.)
- Lead-based paint remediation or other environmental issues
- Energy efficiency improvements (doors, windows, air conditioning, roofs, insulation, and energy-efficient appliances)
- Demolition-reconstruction may be offered for homes whose repairs exceed 50% of the appraised value according to the property appraiser valuation.
For more information, call (813) 635-1610.