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.

The Development Services Department is responsible for the divisions of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP). Call (561) 393-7756 for more information.

SHIP Program:

In order to meet state set aside requirements, the City is accepting SHIP Purchase Assistance applications from very low income households only.  The amount of funding available for the program is limited, and those households that are considered very low income are encouraged to submit a completed application package as soon as possible. To be considered a very low income household, the total gross annual income of all adults in the household cannot exceed the limits listed below.

2011 INCOME LIMITS (effective 12/01/2011)

Applicants must be a first time homebuyer, be able to qualify for a conventional mortgage based on lending requirements of an approved lender and the City’s SHIP guidelines, have funds available to contribute to the purchase of a home, and be able to document a gross annual household income of at least $21,500 a year. Other requirements also apply. Applications will be processed on a first come, first eligible, first served basis until the available funding is expended. Properties purchased with Boca Raton SHIP assistance must be located within the municipal City limits. Interested qualified applicants should call our office at 561-393-7756 to request an application.