What the Lee County Housing Authority does

The Lee County Housing Authority is a local government agency that runs public housing and rental information programs in Lee County, Florida. It does not make loans or grants directly to individuals — instead, it owns and manages apartment complexes for low-income residents, and it administers federal money that pays rent for people who meet income limits. The Authority also manages the waiting list for public housing in the county.

The Authority operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This means the programs it runs follow the same basic structure as housing authorities in other counties, but the specific buildings, wait times, and income limits are particular to Lee County.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lee County Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and administers rental vouchers that pay part of your rent at a private landlord's property.
  • Both programs require your household income to fall below a set limit, which changes each year and depends on family size.
  • Wait lists for public housing and vouchers are usually long and may be closed to new applications; you can call the Authority to ask whether they are accepting names.
  • The Authority's main office is in Fort Myers, and you can reach them by phone or in person to ask about current programs and how to get on a wait list.
  • If you are already in public housing or using a voucher, the Authority handles rent calculations, lease issues, and maintenance requests.

Public housing apartments run by the Authority

The Lee County Housing Authority owns and operates apartment buildings where residents pay rent based on their income, typically 30 percent of gross household income. The Authority sets the lease terms and handles maintenance, repairs, and lease enforcement. Public housing is not temporary — you can stay as long as you meet income limits and follow the lease.

To get into public housing, your household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income for Lee County. That threshold changes each year. Once you are accepted, your rent stays affordable even if your income rises slightly, though the Authority will recalculate your rent annually and may eventually ask you to leave if your income grows too high.

The wait list for public housing in Lee County is typically long. The Authority may close the list to new applications when demand is very high. Call the Authority's main office to ask whether the list is open and how long the wait currently is.

Rental vouchers (Section 8)

The Lee County Housing Authority also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8. Under this program, the Authority gives you a voucher that you take to a private landlord. The Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent, and you pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your income. You choose where to live within Lee County (or sometimes beyond, depending on the Authority's rules), as long as the landlord accepts the voucher and the unit meets housing quality standards.

Vouchers offer more choice than public housing because you are not limited to Authority-owned buildings. However, not all landlords accept vouchers, and the Authority must inspect the unit before you move in. The inspection checks for safety, plumbing, heating, and other basic conditions.

Income limits for vouchers are the same as for public housing. The wait list for vouchers is also typically long and may be closed. Contact the Authority to learn whether you can be added to the list.

Income limits and how they are calculated

Both public housing and vouchers are limited to households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Lee County. The Authority publishes income limits each year; they vary by family size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and most other regular money coming into the household. The Authority will ask you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify income. Some types of income are excluded — for example, income of full-time students under 18 and certain temporary information payments.

If your income rises above the limit after you are already in a program, you do not lose your housing when ready. The Authority will recalculate your rent, and you may be asked to leave after a grace period, which varies by program. Check your lease or ask the Authority about the specific rules for your situation.

How to contact the Lee County Housing Authority

The Lee County Housing Authority's main office is located in Fort Myers. You can reach them by phone to ask about wait lists, current programs, and how to request an process. The office also accepts walk-in visitors during business hours.

When you call or visit, have your household size and approximate income ready. The Authority can tell you whether the wait list is open, how long the wait typically is, and what documents you will need to bring if you want to explore. If the wait list is closed, ask when it may reopen — some authorities reopen lists on a set schedule or when funding becomes available.

You can also visit the Lee County Housing Authority's website to find contact information, current income limits, and sometimes process forms or instructions.

What happens after you are accepted

Once you are approved for public housing or a voucher, the Authority will assign you a lease or voucher and explain your rights and responsibilities. For public housing, you sign a lease with the Authority and move into one of its buildings. For a voucher, you search for a rental property, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the Authority inspects the unit before you move in.

After you move in, the Authority handles rent calculations, processes any changes in your income, and responds to maintenance requests (for public housing) or housing quality concerns (for vouchers). If you have a dispute with the Authority over rent, lease terms, or maintenance, you have the right to a hearing before the Authority can evict you. The lease or voucher paperwork will explain how to request a hearing.

The Authority may also conduct annual inspections or recertifications to confirm your income still qualifies and that the unit meets housing standards. Cooperating with these inspections and providing requested documents on time is part of your lease obligation.

Wait lists and how long they take

Wait lists for both public housing and vouchers in Lee County are managed by the Authority and are usually long. The length of the wait depends on how much funding the Authority has, how many units are available, and how many people are on the list ahead of you. Wait times can range from months to several years.

Some housing authorities use a lottery system to select names from the wait list; others use date order or prioritize certain groups (such as people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities). Ask the Authority which method it uses and whether any groups are prioritized.

If the wait list is closed, you cannot be added until it reopens. The Authority will tell you when it expects to reopen the list, or you can call periodically to check. Some authorities reopen lists on an annual basis or when funding is renewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between public housing and a voucher?

Public housing means you rent an apartment owned by the Authority; your rent is based on your income, and the Authority handles maintenance. A voucher means you find a rental property on the private market, the Authority pays part of the rent to the landlord, and you pay the rest. Vouchers give you more choice of where to live, but not all landlords accept them.

Can I be on both the public housing wait list and the voucher wait list at the same time?

Yes, most housing authorities allow you to be on both lists. However, once you are offered either public housing or a voucher, you must decide which one to accept. You cannot hold both at the same time.

What if my income goes above the limit after I move in?

You will not be evicted when ready. The Authority will recalculate your rent, which may increase. Depending on how much your income rises and how long you stay above the limit, the Authority may eventually ask you to leave, but this usually happens over months or years, not right away. Ask the Authority about the specific timeline for your program.

How do I know if the wait list is open?

Call the Lee County Housing Authority directly and ask whether they are accepting new applications for public housing or vouchers. The wait list status changes, and the only way to know for certain is to contact them. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.

Do I need a lease to be on the wait list?

No. You do not need to have a place to live or a lease signed to be on the wait list. The Authority will add your name to the list, and when your turn comes, you will be notified. For vouchers, you will then have time to find a rental property and have the Authority inspect it before you move in.