Lee County · Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program
Buying a first home in Lee County, Florida
Lee County's single TBA income limit is $168,600. For teachers and responders in Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres, here's how the program works.
SeatFort Myers
Residents875,607
Income cap, 3+$129,260
Price cap$566,354
The Lee picture
The School District of Lee County runs the public schools, and its full-time staff qualify. On the public safety side, the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Cape Coral Police, the Cape Coral Fire Department, Fort Myers Police and Lee County EMS all employ people in roles the program names.
Bond limits in Lee are $112,400 for 1 or 2 people and $129,260 for 3 or more, with a $566,354 price limit. If you're shopping at a higher price in Bonita Springs or Estero, the TBA option may fit better because it has no purchase price limit.
In Lehigh Acres or anywhere else in Lee, a loan of $200,000 or less still gets $10,000. Either way, the money is a 0% second mortgage, repaid on sale or refinance.
Caps that apply in Lee County
Income cap, 1 or 2 people
Income cap, 3 or more
Price cap
$112,400
$129,260
$566,354
Lee County's Bond limits are $112,400 and $129,260 with a $566,354 price cap, and the TBA limit is $168,600. Compare with the statewide table or run the budget calculator.
Local employers whose staff can qualify
School District of Lee County
Lee County Sheriff's Office
Cape Coral Police Department
Cape Coral Fire Department
Fort Myers Police Department
Lee County EMS
Healthcare workers at Lee County hospitals and physician practices qualify, as do full-time child care and court employees. The eligible jobs list has the full set of roles.
Local money in Lee County
County, city and employer programs here can sometimes sit behind the state loan, or replace it. Each has its own rules about combining, and a loan officer sorts out which ones fit together.
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.
Low and moderate income buyers purchasing existing homes in Cape Coral
Also note
HUD-approved first-time homebuyer counseling; full home inspection; first-qualified first-served
From FHFC-approved Cape Coral LHAP 2025-28: 0% deferred, 10-year term, forgiven at end. City Housing & Grants page says SHIP/CDBG funds are awarded to non-profit agencies and individuals cannot apply directly; current homebuyer intake channel not confirmed.
Nearly every down payment program makes you finish a homebuyer class before closing. These HUD-approved agencies around Lee County teach one or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy.
Agency
Based in
How far
What they offer
Languages
How they meet
Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may accept only certain classes.
Which class counts for you? Your loan officer knows which courses each Florida program accepts and can start your pre-approval in the same conversation. Start with the 2-minute check
Lee County, asked and answered
What's the Hometown Heroes income limit in Cape Coral?
Lee County uses $168,600 under TBA, or $112,400 and $129,260 under Bond.
Do Lee County EMS paramedics qualify?
Yes. Full-time EMTs and paramedics with a Florida ambulance service or fire department meet the job rule.
Is there a price limit in Bonita Springs?
On Bond loans, $566,354 outside targeted areas. TBA loans have no price cap.
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