Lee County's SHIP plan gives first-time buyers $100,000 (very low income), $85,000 (low) or $25,000 (moderate), forgiven after 15 years. Status: funding-dependent and run from a waiting list. We could not verify current status, so call Lee County Human & Veteran Services before you commit to a home.
SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP)
Limited funds
Lee County
Amount
Very low $100,000; low $85,000; moderate $25,000 (includes up to 10% project delivery)
From FHFC-approved Lee LHAP 2026-29: 0% deferred, forgiven after 15 years. County also lists HOME DPA (existing homes) and CDBG homeownership assistance. Lee County website blocked automated access, so current status not verified.
Want a heads-up? SHIP Purchase Assistance (LHAP) draws from a limited pot that can empty out. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.
Current status: confirm first
These terms come from the Lee County Local Housing Assistance Plan for 2026-29, approved by Florida Housing. The County website blocked our automated check, so we could not see whether the waiting list is moving. SHIP purchase help in Florida is first-qualified, first-served, and annual state funding has run late in some counties this year. Get on the list early and keep your documents current.
How the award works
Income tier
Maximum award
Very low
$100,000
Low
$85,000
Moderate
$25,000
Amounts include up to 10% for project delivery costs. The loan is 0% and deferred, forgiven after 15 years of ownership.
Who qualifies?
First-time buyers in very low, low or moderate income tiers.
Housing payment no more than 30% of income (front-end) and total debts no more than 41% (back-end). Those ratios are tighter than many mortgage approvals, so ask your lender to run them.
The County also lists HOME down payment help for existing homes and CDBG homeownership assistance.
With Hometown Heroes and OAHO
Hometown Heroes allows another agency's stand-alone help in third position; a participating lender confirms whether Lee County accepts that. The HFA of Lee County's OAHO program pays $10,500 here and is open, but needs its own first mortgage. Cape Coral buyers should also look at the city's SHIP plan.
Preparing while you wait
Waiting lists move in order, so use the time well. Pay down revolving balances to get under the 41% back-end ratio, document every income source, and finish a homebuyer education course so your certificate is ready. Ask the County whether being on the list holds your place across fiscal years if funding runs out. Ask which income tier you fall into, since the gap between $85,000 (low) and $25,000 (moderate) is large. If your timeline is short, an open option like OAHO may get you into a home sooner.
Keep in mind that the amounts include project delivery costs, so the cash applied to your purchase may be a little lower than the headline figure.
Our summary of the official program page as of November 2026. Funding and terms change; get the current version from the program or a participating lender. Florida Down Payment Assistance has no tie to this program.
Saved. Watch your phone and inbox.
When this program restarts, you'll be among the first to know. Meanwhile, want to see what's open today?
Hi, I'm Lisa. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Florida. I'll walk you through six quick questions, and you'll see your result before you leave the page.
