The Florida Legislature has appropriated $101,000,000 in funding for the 2015-2016 fiscal year for the SHIP program to provide for critical housing needs. Of this amount, the City of Orlando’s allocation is $1,228,168. To receive these funds, the City must first certify that a minimum of 20% ($245,633.60) of our allocation will be used to serve persons with special needs as defined in section 420.0004, Florida Statutes and that we will meet this requirement through the existing approved strategies identified in our local assistance plan. The Certification Form is being presented to City Council for this purpose. Upon approval, staff will forward the certification to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for disbursement of funding.