Acquisition, Rehabilitation and New Construction for Homeownership (ARCH) Program

About the Program ​​

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Sarasota County employs a multipronged approach to help expand the availability of safe and affordable housing throughout the county. The Acquisition, Rehabilitation and New Construction for Homeownership (ARCH) Program has funding available for FY 2025-2028 to build new or rehabilitate single-family homes that will be affordable¹ for prospective very low- or low-income² homebuyers.​

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Applications for Sarasota County's ARCH program are now open and will close Aug. 3, 2026 at 5 p.m.

 

Click the button below to access the application portal and start your application. Applications are open only to eligible developers and nonprofit organizations. Individuals are not eligible to apply.

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ARCH Program - Prospective Applicant Information Session

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A virtual Program and Application Information Session will be held:

 

• Monday, July 6, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 

During this live workshop, HERO staff will present on the following topics as well as give applicants an opportunity to ask any questions they may have:

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• ARCH program overview.

• Eligibility and requirements.

• Timeline.

• Application process.

• Application review and scoring.

• How to fill out the application.

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Please register for the webinar here: ARCH Program - Prospective Applicant Information Session

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​Request for Applications (RFA)

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One developer will be chosen through a competitive Request for Application (RFA) process to be awarded a State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP) loan for property acquisition, demolition, site improvements, rehabilitation and new construction. This strategy promotes infill housing development, green building and mixed income neighborhoods.​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Eligible Applicants:​ 

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• Public developers.

• Private developers.

• Nonprofit developers.

• Nonprofit organizations.

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Available Funding:

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• $1.35 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds is available for FY 2025-2028.​

 

Projects Must:​​

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• Be located within unincorporated Sarasota County.

• Complete construction and transfer ownership within 18 months of receiving the award.

• Comply with Florida Building Code, Sarasota County Code and SHIP Property Standards.​

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Steps and Project Selection:

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• Submit an application online during the application window from June 22, 2026 through August 3, 2026.

• Staff will review and score applications according to the Board and State-approved Local Housing Assistance Plan scoring criteria.

• A sponsor/developer of affordable single-family housing will be awarded for construction financing.

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If you are a prospective homebuyer, information will be available at later date regarding how to apply to purchase homes being built through the ARCH program and the purchase assistance available through the SHIP program. Prospective buyers may sign up for program announcements here.