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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| 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 → |
| 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no down payment required | No | View → |
| 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 $35,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with no down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
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).
- Step 2:
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.
- Step 3:
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.
- Step 4:
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.
- Step 5:
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.
- Step 6:
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.
- Step 7:
Submit your complete application. Your lender will coordinate with the city and county to finalize the assistance package.