The Lee Board of County Commissioners awarded about $4.4 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership grant agreements to local partners for affordable housing on Tuesday.
This funding aims to assist 45 very low and 29 low-income households, including 41 households with individuals with special needs.
The SHIP program, funded by the state and guided by the Local Housing Assistance Plan adopted in March, prioritizes very low, low, and special-needs households, allocating 65% of its funds to homeownership activities.
Grants were allocated to several organizations. Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc. received $1,130,000 for down payment assistance to support 16 households. Rebuilding Together Greater Florida was awarded $1,043,000 for housing rehabilitation and $130,000 for new construction.
The Lee County Housing Development Corporation received $1 million for down payment assistance. SalusCare Inc. obtained $434,302 and $70,000 for rental housing rehabilitation at two locations on Evans Avenue. St. Mark Coptic Church was awarded $595,000 for rental construction to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
Since 1999, Lee County has benefited from SHIP funds, sourced from a state surcharge on documentary stamps and distributed based on population through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.