Programs

Jump to a program:

• Housing Repair and Recovery Program
• First-Time Homebuyers Program
• Homelessness Prevention and Rental Assistance Program
• Foreclosure Prevention and Short-Term Mortgage Assistance
• Impact Fee Assistance
• Income Eligibility Table

Housing Repair and Recovery Program

ReHouse Bay can provide funding to repair or – for homes with substantial damage – demolish and reconstruct eligible homes. After an applicant qualifies for the program, ReHouse Bay will complete a home inspection to confirm damages, develop a construction plan, and partner with contractors and builders to repair the home.

ReHouse Bay financing is distributed as a second mortgage on repaired or reconstructed homes that are:

• Located in Bay County, Florida; and
• The applicant’s primary residence.

ReHouse Bay cannot:

• Reimburse for repairs that have already occurred; or
• Offer additional assistance for repairs already funded by some other source, like FEMA or SBA.

Eligible applicants must:

• Confirm that this home is their primary residence
• Demonstrate that they own the property (verified through a title search);
• Not exceed income limits for their household size, (see income limit table below);
• Provide documentation of any funding or benefits received from FEMA, the Small Business Administration (SBA), Insurance, or other social assistance (verified during the program qualification process); and
• Submit a complete application.

For questions pertaining to the Housing Repair and Recovery Program, or for assistance with completing an application, please contact Bay County Housing Services at (850) 215-2479.

First-Time Homebuyers Program

The First-Time Homebuyers Program helps current and future Bay County residents purchase affordable homes. ReHouse Bay provides up to $50,000 to eligible individuals and families to lower up-front costs (like down payment and closing costs) and keep mortgage payments affordable. In addition to funding, program participants will also receive first-time homebuyer counseling. ReHouse Bay financing is distributed as a second mortgage on purchased homes that:

• Are located in Bay County, Florida (see below for a list of eligible areas);
• Pass standard home inspections; and
• Do not exceed a sale price of $349,525.80; and
• Are an eligible property type including single family, townhouse, condominium, one side of a duplex that will be owner-occupied, or mobile home built after July 1994.

To participate in the First-Time Homebuyer’s Program, eligible applicants must:

• Complete a first-time homebuyer course offered by a Certified HUD-Approved Counseling Agency before closing on a home;
• Be pre-approved for a first mortgage loan before submitting an application;
• Disclaimer: ReHouse Bay and Bay County are not responsible for the borrower’s selection of lender and/or Homebuyer Education class, financing terms, actions or decisions made by lenders or counseling agencies.
• Not have purchased or owned a home within the last 3 years;
• Not exceed income limits for their household size (see income limit table below);
• Submit a complete application.
• Prepare and gather all required documentation identified on the Purchase Assistance Program Documentation Checklist.

Eligible properties must be in one of the areas listed below with a maximum sales price of $349,525.80. The current estimated waiting period to receive assistance is 10-12 weeks. It is highly recommended that applicants do not enter into a sales contract until they have been approved for assistance by ReHouse Bay.

• Unincorporated Bay County
• City of Callaway
• City of Lynn Haven
• City of Mexico Beach
• City of Panama City Beach
• City of Parker
• City of Springfield

To register for an upcoming homebuyer education course, applicants may contact Melanie Taylor with the UF/IFAS Bay County extension at (850) 784-6105.

If you are a current or future resident of Panama City seeking Purchase Assistance, please visit the City of Panama City Community Development webpage or contact them via phone at (850) 872-7230.

Homeless Prevention and Rental Assistance (NO FUNDING AVAILABLE)

ReHouse Bay can provide short-term rental assistance to eligible applicants in Bay County. There are three forms of rental assistance made available to income-eligible applicants:

• Rental, security, and utility deposits payments on a newly leased rental property. ReHouse Bay will pay the landlord and utility company directly.
• To qualify, household income must not exceed 120% AMI (refer to income limit table below).
• Eviction prevention payments for applicants that are no more than six (6) months past-due on rent payments, including late fees.
• To qualify, household income must not exceed 80% AMI (refer to income limit table below).
• Rent subsidy payments for applicants who are homeless.
• To qualify, household income must not exceed 50% AMI (refer to income limit table below).

Financing is distributed as a one-time grant to applicants that:

• Are seeking affordable rental properties located in Bay County, Florida;
• Have recently signed a one-year (or longer term) rental lease agreement;
• Have not received rental assistance from SHIP-funded programs within the last three (3) years; and
• Submit a complete application.

For questions pertaining to the Homeless Prevention and Rental Assistance Program, or for assistance with completing an application, please contact Bay County Housing Services at (850) 215-2479.

If you are a current resident of Panama City seeking Rental Assistance, please visit the City of Panama City Community Development webpage or contact them via phone at (850) 872-7230.

Foreclosure Prevention and Short-Term Mortgage Assistance

If you are a survivor of Hurricane Michael and are facing a COVID-19 or income-related hardship that has resulted in difficulty paying your mortgage, ReHouse Bay may be able to help. Eligible applicants must be able to demonstrate hardship; ReHouse Bay staff will verify this when reviewing the application for assistance. ReHouse Bay financing is distributed as a short-term loan for applicants that:

• Own a home located in Bay County, Florida;
• Can confirm that this home is their primary residence
• Can demonstrate that they are the owners of the property (verified through a title search);
• Can demonstrate sustainable income, but do not exceed income limits for their household size (see income limit table below);
• Are no less than three (3) months or no more than $10,000 past-due on their mortgage payments, but have not received an official legal-action notice regarding their mortgage; and
• Submit a complete application.

For questions pertaining to the Foreclosure Prevention and Short-Term Mortgage Assistance Program, or for assistance with completing an application, please contact Bay County Housing Services at (850) 215-2479.

If you are a current or future resident of Panama City seeking Foreclosure and Short-Term Mortgage Assistance, please visit the City of Panama City Community Development webpage or contact them via phone at (850) 872-7230.

Impact Fee Assistance

ReHouse Bay may be able to help eligible applicants* fund impact fees (like sewer or water connection fees) on some properties. ReHouse Bay financing is distributed as a short-term loan for applicants that:

• Own a home or are building a home in Bay County, Florida;
• Can confirm that this home is or will be their primary residence;
• Can demonstrate that they are or will be the owners of the property (verified through a title search);
• Can demonstrate sustainable income, but do not exceed income limits for their household size (see income limit table below); and
• Submit a complete application.

For questions pertaining to the Impact Fee Assistance Program, or for assistance with completing an application, please contact Bay County Housing Services at (850) 215-2479.

*Note: this program may also be available to developers that are building houses that meet affordable housing criteria. Please see additional information for Developers.

New Construction Program

ReHouse Bay may be able to help eligible applicants build new, affordable housing on property they already own. ReHouse Bay is currently working with developers to build affordable housing on behalf of eligible, income-qualified applicants. Please see additional information for Developers.

Income Eligibility Guide

Find the number of people in your household on the top row (1 – 8+). If your household’s combined gross income* is within the income range listed below your household size (found in the second row), you may qualify for ReHouse Bay programs.

Program Eligibility by Household Income and Size: Income Limit by Number of Persons in Household

Median: 78,100

*combined income includes ALL pre-tax income for individuals 18 years or older living in your home, including full-time, part-time, or overtime salary, social security, supplemental security, or disability income, pension(s), VA benefits, child support, etc.

ReHouse Bay does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status in the review or award of applications for housing assistance.