Housing and Grants
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The Planning Division administers four grant programs for the City of Cape Coral including the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP), Foreclosure Prevention Program (funded by SHIP), and the Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP1 and NSP3). These programs are used to provide affordable housing and increase social service opportunities for the citizens of Cape Coral. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) funds are awarded to eligible non-profit agencies and City departments on an annual basis (as received). Please note INDIVIDUALS and FOR PROFIT entities are not eligible to apply for these funds. These funds are typically awarded through a competitive grant process; however, the City reserves the right to allocate these funds to meet a need established through City policy and/or specific grant program requirements. When funding is available, notices will be posted on this website under the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Section below.
Please be advised that each of these grant programs has specific program regulations that are required to be fulfilled, not all projects proposed will meet program requirements. Additionally, the City utilizes the same requirements as agencies that are funded through our grant programs. Agencies who wish to apply for funding are required to meet with City Staff to ensure their project/agency meets these requirements before making an application.
The Foreclosure Prevention Program allows residents struggling to pay their mortgage to apply for a maximum award of $10,000 per household. This program is funded as part of the State of Florida's SHIP Program.
See more information on these programs below, or reach out to Contacts from the City's Planning Division.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program Overview
The U.S. Congress established the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program with the passage of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of Cape Coral is considered a HUD-designated entitlement community. HUD bases entitlement awards on a complex formula allocation that considers factors such as population, housing stock, and the extent of poverty as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The CDBG Program's primary objective is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons. The City of Cape Coral has received CDBG funds since 1981. The City's CDBG Program uses its funds to comprehensively revitalize designated neighborhoods, rehabilitate housing, social services, home ownership assistance, acquire real property, and improve public facilities. The program has touched and enriched lives in Cape Coral by providing services that otherwise would not have been available.
View documents related to the CDBG program in the Grant Documents section of this website
State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP)
Program Overview
The State Housing Initiatives Partnership Grant Program was created by the passage of the William Sadowski Affordable Housing Act of 1992. The funds are administrated by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). The source of financing for this program is derived from documentary tax collections from the sale of real estate within our community. The allocation amount is based on the City’s population. The state of Florida requires the City of Cape Coral to provide affordable housing.
The City has been a recipient of SHIP funds since 1992. The grant program aims to provide affordable housing opportunities to very low and low-income persons and/or households. To receive SHIP funding, the City must submit an annual financial report delineating where the funds were expended and for what purposes. The FHFC must audit how the City expends its SHIP funds for compliance with state statutes. Additionally, the City is required to complete a Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) for three years. Within the LHAP are affordable housing strategies that explain which programs will be available to income-eligible clients and/or households. Additionally, the document contains the rules and regulations governing the City’s SHIP program.
View documents related to the SHIP program in the Grant Documents section of this website
Foreclosure Prevention Program
Program Overview
Due to the overwhelming response to the Foreclosure Prevention Program, application acceptance has been paused. Staff needs time to review submitted applications and supporting documentation to determine eligibility.
Clients who applied for the program should wait to hear if they are approved/eligible to receive mortgage assistance before scheduling foreclosure prevention counseling sessions with Habitat for Humanity.
Residents struggling to pay their mortgage can now apply for foreclosure prevention funds through the City of Cape Coral. Funding for this program comes from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) from the State of Florida. With a maximum award of $10,000 per household, this initiative aims to assist homeowners who are facing ongoing economic challenges. To qualify for assistance, applicants must be at least one month behind in mortgage payments and have no foreclosure proceedings initiated by the lender.
Eligible hardships include:
- loss of employment
- sudden medical expenses
- divorce or separation
- unforeseen expenses or home repair bills.
- large increase in the amount of mortgage payment because of terms of adjustable loan
- escrow payments increase due to increase in insurance and taxes
Applicants must complete counseling from a HUD-Certified and approved agency trained in foreclosure prevention counseling.
Click here to apply for foreclosure prevention counseling with Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties, Inc.
Applicants must provide evidence, such as steady income, including paystubs or other sources of income, that demonstrates their ability to resume making monthly payments after the assistance is provided. This evidence must also include an explanation of how the hardship has been overcome and a budget plan approved by the counseling agency.
Click here to apply for Foreclosure Prevention funds.
For questions regarding the Foreclosure Prevention Program, please contact Elena Schwartz, Housing Intake Specialist, at 239-573-3164 or housing@capecoral.gov.
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)
No funding is available at this time.
Contact Information:
For details concerning these programs, please contact the following staff members from the City's Planning Division:
Milica (Millie) Babic, AICP, Principal Planner - (239)574-0596