The mission of the Development Services Department, operating in the Special Revenue Funds, is to sustain and promote the City of Boca Raton as a nationally recognized and desirable place to live and work. To accomplish this goal, the Department will work to protect and preserve neighborhoods, assist in the creation of jobs and the protection of the tax base by promoting quality development and redevelopment, protect and preserve the City’s natural environment, and support the provision of housing opportunities for all of Boca Raton’s citizens.

Community Improvement is responsible for administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program. For general information, please call 561-393-7756 (561-367-7043 for the hearing impaired). In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, information and documents appearing on this page may be requested in an alternative format.

FY 2013-14 Action Plan

• Notice of Plan Availability and 2nd Public Hearing

Housing Assistance Programs


CDBG Homeownership Assistance Program: The purpose of the Program is to assist eligible households to purchase a home located within the municipal limits of the City of Boca Raton to occupy as their primary residence. Assistance is intended to close the gap of funds needed for a purchase to be considered affordable under program guidelines. Program assistance is provided in the form of a deferred payment second mortgage loan. Loans shall be made at 0% interest for a term of 20 years. Program assistance may be used to provide up to 50% of the lender-required down payment, to reduce first mortgage loan principle, to reduce first mortgage interest rate and to provide assistance with reasonable closing costs, as necessary for affordability. The maximum award amount is based on need, up to $75,000.

CDBG Homeownership Assistance Information and Application Instructions

CDBG Homeownership Assistance Application

SHIP Program: The City of Boca Raton is currently accepting SHIP Purchase Assistance applications from Very Low Income households only. To be considered a Very Low Income household, the gross annual income of all adult members of the household cannot exceed the following limits:

2013 INCOME LIMITS (effective 12/11/2012)

Available funding is very limited. New applicants may be placed on a waiting list. If you have questions, or need additional information, please call 561-393-7756.

SHIP Purchase Assistance Application Packet

Sewer Connection Assistance Program: The City utilizes State Housing Initiatives Program (SHIP) funds to administer the Sewer Connection Assistance Program. The program assists eligible very low- and low-income homeowners who live in neighborhoods impacted by the City's septic to central sewer system program. An application and instructions for the program can be found by clicking the links below. If you have questions, or need additional information, please call 561-393-7756.