Financial Assistance Programs

Rent/Mortgage

Eviction/Past-Due Rent or Mortgage
  • You may qualify for help with past due rent or mortgage if you have experienced an unexpected financial crisis.
  • Examples of unexpected, temporary loss of income include domestic violence, loss of job, reduced work hours or a medical crisis; or an unexpected expense such as funeral costs, medical/dental bills or emergency home repairs.
    Assistance is dependent upon availability of funds.
Complete this application if any of the following circumstances apply: 
  1. Having a Section 8 Voucher and need help with move-in costs. 
  2. Homeless, living in car, park, etc., have identified a housing unit and need help with move-in costs. 
  3. Eviction/3-Day Notice or Code Enforcement Letter to Vacate. 
  4. Staying with Friends/Family and Not on their Lease, have identified a housing unit and need help with move-in costs. 
  5. Lease Not Being Renewed, have identified a housing unit and need help with move-in costs. 
  6. Past Due Rent/Mortgage

All residents of Lee County who need assistance with past-due mortgage payments or rental move-in expenses must apply using the application below. Applicants must meet Income requirements (or guidelines) based on funding source and household income and composition.


Client must demonstrate loss of income or other unexpected financial crisis within the last 6 months from the date of application.


Our online application is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 am until noon. The application portal will not accept applications when our office is closed for holidays. We accept 20 applications a day and once the 20 applications are received, the online application will be closed.

Electric/Water Bill Assistance

Applications for electric and/or water bill assistance are available for pick up at
2440 Thompson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. 

Download the document checklist to ensure you have all of the documents needed to prevent delays in processing your application. 

All required documents must be submitted with the application. The documents may be mailed, or dropped off in the dropbox located in front of Lee County Human and Veteran Services at 2440 Thompson St., Fort Myers, FL 33901.

If you received assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) within the last 12 months, and do not have a past due bill, you will not be eligible for assistance. An application will automatically be mailed to you the month you become eligible to re-apply.

 No money, cash or check will be requested or received from customers in this office. If an employee of this office asks you for money, please report this to Kim Hustad at 239-533-7900.

Home Repair Assistance

​Eligible repairs include: Roof repair or replacement, Plumbing ​Septic repair or replacement, Heating and Air Conditioning, ​Well repair or replacement, Window replacement, ​Electrical ​Door repair or replacement.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Live in unincorporated Lee County (not within a city).
  • Be a U.S. citizen or resident.
  • Have annual income at or below HUD's income levels Have owned and lived in your home for at least the past 12 months.
  • Be current on all mortgages, property taxes, and homeowner association fees.
  • Obtain hazard and flood insurance (if applicable) prior to assistance.
  • Own and occupy your home for the duration of the deferred mortgage.
  • Property must be homesteaded, be free of excessive clutter.
  • Property shall not be listed for sale by owner or by a realtor at the time of assistance Property cannot be included in any open bankruptcy proceedings, foreclosure, or probate.
  • All persons listed on the deed to the property on record with the Lee County Clerk's office must reside at the property
Some repairs may be given emergency priority. The minimum assistance amount is $1,000. Maintenance type repairs are not eligible. Mobile homes may be eligible if you own the mobile home and the land on which the home is located. Cannot have excessive termite or mold damage (Area affected cannot exceed 2-3 sheets of paper). Married couples living separately are not eligible for assistance.

Home Purchase Assistance


Existing or New Construction Home (CDBG Program)
  • If you are purchasing an existing or new single-family home (or condominium/townhouse) in Unincorporated Lee County, you may qualify for assistance. The maximum purchase price is $380,000 and the amount of assistance includes up to 50% of the lender-required minimum down payment. Additional mortgage subsidy may be given to ensure the housing payment is affordable to the low-income purchaser. The second mortgage will be for a term of 5 years and will reduce at a rate of 20% per year.
  • CDBG Info Sheet   (CDBG Informacion en Español)
  • CDBG Program Application   (CDBG Application en Español)

Existing Home (HOME Program) New Construction Home (SHIP Program)
This program is currently suspended
  • If you are purchasing a newly constructed single-family home in Unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers Beach, or Sanibel you may qualify for assistance. The maximum purchase price is $349,526, and the amount of assistance typically ranges from $20,000 to $40,000 depending on your household income and funding availability. The second mortgage will be non-reducing for a term of 15 years.
  • SHIP Info Sheet  (SHIP Informacion en Español)
  • SHIP Program Application  (​SHIP Aplicacion en Español)

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP Program)

Lee County buys foreclosed homes in target areas at below appraised value, then rehabilitates properties into desirable homes. Lee County then sells the home to qualified homebuyers, providing a soft second mortgage and reasonable closing cost assistance to help subsidize buyer costs.

Homebuyers must have an annual household income at or below income levels, attend homebuyer education class from a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency, be able to obtain a commitment for a mortgage from a lending institution, and occupy property as their primary/principal residence.

Indigent Cremation Services

If you have a family member, who has recently passed away and cannot afford cremation services, you may qualify to have your relative cremated at no cost. The Indigent Cremation program does not provide for a funeral, memorial viewing, visitation, or any other services.

Qualifications for the program include:

  • The person must have died in Lee County
  • The deceased person must not have any form of life insurance
  • Your household income must not exceed 100% of the federal poverty guidelines, and household assets not exceed the maximum amount
Documentation requirements:
  • Social security card or other document verifying deceased person's social security number
  • Photo ID of the deceased person
  • Photo ID of applicant
  • Social Security Card of Applicant
  • Proof of all of household income
Process:
  • Return completed application and required documents to Lee County Human and Veteran Services
  • Your application will be reviewed and you will be notified regarding your eligibility
  • Staff will authorize the retrieval of the body

Completed application and required documentation must be returned in person or via mail to:
Lee County Human and Veteran Services
Attn: Indigent Cremation
2440 Thompson St.
Fort Myers, FL 33901

Housing Opportunities for People with HIV/AIDS

If you have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, you may qualify for homeless prevention or help to secure permanent housing if you are experiencing homelessness.  The goal of HOPWA is to ensure that you can remain medication compliant and self-sufficient through stable housing.  
  • You must be in compliance with your medical provider
  • You must meet income eligibility requirements with an annual income at or below 80% of the area median income.
  • Be willing to work with HOPWA staff towards self-sufficiency.
Referrals are accepted by completing this simple application.  HOPWA maintains STRICT confidentiality guidelines.


More
Search
Main
Menu
Section
Navigation