The Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program helps low, very low, and moderate-income residents
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2026) - Hillsborough County residents with homes in need of repair or disability accommodations are encouraged to apply for assistance through Affordable Housing Services' Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program.
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. This is not a home remodeling program but rather aimed at assisting the community with immediate needs for rehabilitation due to the condition of the home. The countywide initiative utilizes State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) program funds to rehabilitate the homes of residents who live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. The City of Tampa has its own rehabilitation program.
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 funding and income restrictions, and the program focuses on single-family homes that have been homesteaded as a primary residence for at least two years.
Application forms are available online.
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 (ramp, widening doorways, countertops, bathroom and kitchen modifications, etc.)
- Lead-based paint remediation or other environmental issues
- Weatherization activities (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. However, if your property requires elevation, there may be insufficient funds to assist with the elevation and the reconstruction. The County's Rebuilding for Tomorrow program, which addresses homes damaged by the 2024 hurricanes, may be better suited for this type of need. You can view the requirements of that program here.
For more information, email AffordableHousingServices@HCFL.gov or call (813) 635-1610.