Lee County down payment assistance in Florida scales with your income band, and the top tier reaches $85,000.
Written by Renzo Johnson, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · Program details from Lee County and Florida Housing · Last updated: August 2026
Fort Myers and Cape Coral buyers work with two local sources at once, because Lee County runs an income-tiered SHIP program while its Housing Finance Authority offers a separate second mortgage. On top of both, you can still reach the Florida Housing programs.
Lee County down payment assistance programs
| Program | Maximum assistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lee County SHIP (income-tiered) | $85,000 very-low / $65,000 low / $25,000 moderate | Serves households up to 120% AMI; 15-year deferred, and the county forgives it if you stay the full term |
| Lee County HFA FirstPlus | Up to $10,000 | 0% interest, 30-year deferred second mortgage |
Notice that the tier, not the house, sets your ceiling. In addition, both programs ask for first-time buyer status, homebuyer education, and a primary residence inside Lee County. However, the county awards this money in limited cycles, so timing matters as much as eligibility.
Statewide programs you can stack in Lee County
- Hometown Heroes: up to $35,000 if you work full-time in one of 50+ eligible occupations
- Florida Assist: up to $10,000 as a 0% deferred second mortgage
- HFA Preferred: a conventional loan with reduced mortgage insurance, plus assistance
- Mortgage Credit Certificate: up to $2,000 a year as a federal tax credit
Since county and state awards draw on separate funding, most buyers here qualify for both. For the wider comparison, read our Florida down payment assistance guide, then check the 2026 Lee County loan limits.
How to get started
First, finish a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Then get pre-qualified with a participating lender, because the county will not reserve funds without one. Once you hold that letter, request a free eligibility check and we will map the Lee County down payment assistance in Florida you qualify for against the statewide programs.
Sources: Lee County Department of Human and Veteran Services, the Housing Finance Authority of Lee County, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 2026. Each office allocates limited funding per cycle, so verify current terms before you rely on an amount.