Homebuyer Programs in Lehigh Acres, FL (2026)
Lehigh Acres is one of the largest unincorporated communities in Lee County, Florida, with a population of approximately 128,000 and a median home price around $315,000. While Lehigh Acres does not have its own city-funded down payment assistance since it is unincorporated, buyers here benefit from strong county and state programs. The Lee County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $34,000 as a forgivable loan, and the Lee County Housing Finance Authority FirstPlus Program provides up to $10,000 in zero-interest deferred assistance. At the state level, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program offers up to 5% of the loan amount and the Florida Assist program provides up to $7,500. Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties also builds and sells affordable homes in the area. By combining county, state, and federal programs, Lehigh Acres buyers can access tens of thousands of dollars in homebuyer assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Lehigh Acres
| 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 → |
| 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:
- 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. For the Lee County HOME program, your household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income, and you must be a first-time homebuyer. The FirstPlus Program has similar requirements but is available with FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
- Step 2:
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Both Lee County programs require this. The Lee County Housing Development Corporation offers homebuyer counseling and education at their Fort Myers office. Contact them at 239-275-5105 to register.
- Step 3:
Contact Lee County Department of Human and Veteran Services at 239-533-7930 to begin your HOME program application. For the FirstPlus Program, work with a participating lender who can originate the loan and DPA together.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a first mortgage through a participating lender. The FirstPlus Program requires a minimum 640 credit score and works with FHA, VA, and USDA loans.
- Step 5:
Find a home in the Lehigh Acres area within program purchase price limits. The property must be your primary residence and pass a home inspection.
- Step 6:
Submit your complete application package to the appropriate program administrator. The Lee County HOME program funding is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early when funding cycles open.
- Step 7:
Attend closing and move into your new home. The HOME program loan is forgiven on a prorated basis over 10 years of owner-occupancy. The FirstPlus second mortgage is deferred at zero interest for 30 years.