See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 27, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fort Myers, FL (2026)
Fort Myers is a city of approximately 105,000 residents in Lee County on Florida's Gulf Coast, serving as the county seat and commercial hub of Southwest Florida. With a median home price around $355,000, buyers here can access multiple layers of assistance. The City of Fort Myers Home Purchase Assistance Program provides up to $35,000 as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage, while the Lee County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program adds up to $34,000 and the Lee County FirstPlus Program contributes up to $10,000. Statewide, the Florida Hometown Heroes program offers up to $35,000 for eligible frontline workers. By combining city, county, state, and federal programs, Fort Myers buyers can potentially stack nearly $80,000 or more in down payment and closing cost assistance.
City Programs in Fort Myers
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Fort Myers Home Purchase Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $35,000 for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
County Programs in Lee County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $34,000 (10% of purchase price) | Yes | View → |
| Lee County Housing Finance Authority FirstPlus Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $34,000 (10% of purchase price)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Florida
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Assist (FL Assist) Second Mortgage Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| Florida HFA Preferred and Advantage PLUS Program | Forgivable Loan | 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount | Yes | View → |
| Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program | Deferred Loan | Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the first mortgage loan amount
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of first mortgage loan amount, minimum $10,000, maximum $35,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no down payment required | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with no down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. Your household income must qualify per HUD Income Limits for Lee County, and you must be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years).
Complete homebuyer education. Attend a HUD-approved homebuyer education class. The Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida and the Lee County Housing Authority both offer courses in the Fort Myers area. Contact HUD at (800) 569-4287 for a list of approved agencies near you.
Contact the City of Fort Myers Housing Division. Apply for the Home Purchase Assistance Program, which offers up to $35,000 as a 0% interest deferred second mortgage. Visit fortmyers.gov or call the Housing Division for current availability.
Apply for Lee County programs. Contact Lee County Human and Veteran Services to apply for the HOME Down Payment Assistance Program (up to $34,000) and the FirstPlus Program (up to $10,000). These can be layered with the city program.
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional lender. The city and county assistance can be paired with any of these loan types.
Find a home within Fort Myers city limits. The property must be located within Fort Myers municipal boundaries and must serve as your primary residence.
Submit your complete application. Your lender will coordinate with the city and county to finalize the assistance package.