Developer Incentives and Applications

COUNTY COMMISSION APPROVES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES

NAPLES, FL (Oct. 3, 2025) – The Collier County Board of County Commissioners has officially approved a set of new affordable housing incentives. The commissioners voted to approve the incentives during the commission meeting, held on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The vote followed an extensive, comprehensive review process that began nearly a decade ago and marks a significant step forward in making housing more accessible for Collier County residents.

The newly adopted incentives are part of an ordinance amending the county’s Land Development Code, integrating affordable housing initiatives directly into the Growth Management Plan – a forward-thinking move that reflects the county’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

According to research from University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies, about a third of Collier County’s households are considered cost-burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their household income on housing expenses.

The Board of County Commissioners began the process of revising its Land Development Code to include more affordable housing initiatives in 2017, when it created its first Community Housing Plan.

Collier County officials collaborated with consultants, community leaders, developers, and non-profit organizations to revise the Land Development Code with the goal of expanding affordable housing options.

Key amendments include:

• Focusing Incentives: The county is aligning its strategies to provide housing for those households with the greatest need and provide housing for the “missing middle.”
• Increased Density in Activity Centers: The county seeks to increase residential units near major commercial development areas. These locations, known as Activity Centers, can now build up to 25 units per acre, increased from the previous limit of 16, if they incorporate affordable housing.
• Transit-Oriented Development: Projects located along Collier Area Transit routes may also qualify for up to 25 units per acre, provided they include affordable multi-family housing. At least 50 percent of the units must be within a quarter mile of a transit stop, shelter, or bus station. These changes aim to encourage higher-density, transit-accessible housing developments that address the county’s growing need for affordability.

Allowing affordable housing to be built closer to employment centers, services, and schools reduces the need for new infrastructure expenses and helps eliminate traffic and sprawl.

In addition to streamlining the rezoning process, the county added requirements that will increase buffering when new affordable developments are built adjacent to homes.

These incentives are available for developers to use immediately, and officials are looking forward to the creation of more housing that is affordable for the residents of Collier County.

Collier County Approves Affordable Housing Incentives

New Construction Assistance

SHIP funds may be provided to organizations to be used for the land acquisition, infrastructure and development costs, and all associated fees and permits, for single-family housing for resale to eligible homebuyers in incorporated or unincorporated Collier County. The units may be constructed on infill lots or as a part of a larger development.

Income Categories to be Served: Extremely low, Very low, Low and Moderate

Maximum Award: $50,000 per housing unit

Single-family Housing	Rental Housing
Owner occupied rehabilitation – SHIP funds will be awarded to households in need of repairs to correct code violations, health and safety issues, electrical, plumbing, roofing, windows, other structural items and relocation. Assistance may include costs related to all eligible repairs, inspections, work write ups, recording fees and project delivery fees. For terms, qualifications and other details, see page 8 of the SHIP LHAP plan.	Rental development – Funds will be awarded to developers of affordable rental units for construction financing through other state or federal housing programs to construct affordable rental units in incorporated or unincorporated Collier County. This funding is intended to be used as gap financing required for the project. In cases where a smaller development (less than 50 units) is being proposed that included Special Needs units, the County may choose to provide a larger amount of the overall construction financing. For terms, qualifications and other details, see page 14 of the SHIP LHAP plan.
Purchase assistance – SHIP funds will be awarded to first-time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs to purchase a newly constructed or an existing single-family home, manufactured home or condominium. For terms, qualifications and other details, see page 10 of the SHIP LHAP plan.	Rental rehabilitation – The program is designed to rehabilitation rental units in Collier County. Loans will be giving to non-profit/for profit housing landlords/owners who have site control and ownership of the properties to rehabilitate existing singe family, multi-family or mobile/manufactured rental units on scattered sites or a rental complex. Assistance may be provided for large projects involving the repair of multiple rental units. For terms, qualifications and other details, see page 16 of the SHIP LHAP plan.
Demolition and Replacement of Site Built or Manufactured Homes – SHIP funds will be awarded to homeowners in need of demolition and replacement of housing. The county may use SHIP funds for demolition and replacement of site built or manufactured housing. This strategy will be used in lieu of rehabilitation when cost to repair the home are determined be more than 50% of the home’s value, as determined by the county.  For terms, qualifications and other details see page 22 of the SHIP LHAP plan.	Rental acquisition – The program is designed to acquire rental units within Collier County. For terms, qualifications and other details, see page 18 of the SHIP LHAP plan.

Currently, Collier County’s residential density in the urban area is generally limited to four units per acre. However, developers willing to produce units at affordable levels can increase their density to as high as 16 units per acre through the density bonus program, should they meet certain requirements.

For more information, please contact the Collier County Community and Human Services Division at (239) 450-2114 or housing.info@collier.gov. Also, see Collier County Land Development Code Section 2.06 for details.

SHIP funds may be provided to organizations to be used for the land acquisition, infrastructure and development costs, and all associated fees and permits, for single-family housing for resale to eligible home buyers in incorporated or unincorporated Collier County. The units may be constructed on infill lots or as a part of a larger development. For more information, see page 19 of the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan.

The Fast-Track Permitting and Review Process is to allow for expedited reviews of all zoning actions and permitting applications, which include affordable housing. This process typically saves a developer both time and money, and may be applied to new or expanding development orders.

In order to qualify, the applicant for a proposed development order must:

• Specifically request affordable housing expedited review;
• Construct a development that contains a minimum of 20% of the total number of approved units as approved affordable housing in the 140% or below of the household area median income category; and,
• Obtain the Collier County Housing Policy & Economic Development-issued qualification certificate before the Growth Management Community Development Department (GMCD) review process.

For more information, please contact the Collier County Community and Human Services Division at (239) 450-2114 or housing.info@collier.gov.

View more information about our Fast Track Permitting and Review Process.
Review the Process Resolution.

Affordable Housing Expedited Review Form

Developers/builders that provide affordable housing units may apply for reimbursement of all the sales and use taxes paid on any material used to build the unit (7% on overage). You must complete construction and receive the Certificate of Occupancy before you can submit the application.

Download the application.

Through the Impact Fee Deferral Program, Collier County agrees to defer the payment of impact fees for any new owner-occupied or rental housing unit, which qualifies as affordable. The program is available to units targeting up to 120% of the area median income. The fees are deferred for ten years for qualifying rental units (deferrals longer than ten years may be approved by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners). Deferrals on owner-occupied units are due upon sale, refinance or loss of homestead exemption.

In order to qualify, submit an application to the county for consideration. Upon approval, a $350 application fee is required. Completed applications can be mailed or delivered in-person to Collier County’s Community and Human Services Division Office.

For more information, please contact the Collier County Community and Human Services Division at (239) 450-2114 or housing.info@collier.gov. Also, see Collier County Ordinance 2018-28 for details.

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners created Innovation Zones in 2010 to promote economic development and diversify the local economy by encouraging the construction of corporate headquarters and manufacturing plants as well as to improve neighborhoods.

Innovation Zones offer economic incentives to create higher-paying jobs outside of Collier County’s three top industries – hospitality, agriculture and construction/real estate – that help cover permit and impact fees as well as development and construction costs.

Currently, Collier County has three designated Innovation Zones: Ave Maria, Activity Center No. 9 and Golden Gate City. These zones are similar to Community Redevelopment Areas, which help enhance the appeal of communities that would gain the most economical benefits.

Interested in an Innovation Zone?
To qualify for the incentives, developers must seek project approval by the county commissioners before building. After project approval, developers can use the funds in any lawful manner, including:

• Infrastructure required to serve new target businesses, or the expansion of an existing target business;
• Payment of county impact fees to be paid by the new target business, or the expansion of an existing target business; and,
• Payment of building permit fees, or other county fees related to the construction of structures that serve the target business.

For more information, please visit the county’s webpage.

COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY &
REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT LOANS
FOR DEVELOPMENTS APPLYING FOR FHFC HOUSING CREDITS
SEEKING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OPPORTUNITY FUNDING
Loans Made in Conjunction with FHFC RFA 2025 LGAO
Application Opens: May 13, 2025
Applications Due: 12:00PM June 10, 2025
Extended to: 12:00PM August 15, 2025

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners (the “County”) announces the availability of funds and is requesting applications for the consideration of providing local government support for qualified multifamily housing developments that meet the goals of the County and comply with applicable federal and state law. The County has adopted the following guidelines to set forth the general requirements and procedures that apply to the financing of multifamily housing developments. The County may waive specific provisions of these guidelines where good cause is shown and adequate supporting documentation is provided. Any waiver is at the sole discretion of the County. In addition, these guidelines may be amended, revised, repealed, or otherwise altered by the County with or without notice. The County specifically welcomes requests for proposed alternative resident programs or development/unit features.

All applications submitted will be reviewed by the County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations to the County Manager. The County Manager will then decide whether or not to support commitment letters and loans providing Local Government Support for developments applying for FHFC funding and who are seeking the Local Government Area of Opportunity Funding, pursuant to Resolution No. 2019-207. Submission of an application does not entitle the Applicant to financing, even if sufficient funds remain.

The County will not consider issuing commitment letters to provide financing for any development unless the applicant has satisfied the general requirements set forth in these guidelines, submits a timely, complete, and acceptable application, and complies with all of the procedures and requirements contained within the County’s application procedures and program guidelines.

The County reserves the right to impose additional requirements on any particular development. Compliance with these guidelines does not and shall not create any right by an applicant to a commitment or assurance that the County will provide the requested financing.

The County provides local government support to assist in the construction, rehabilitation, and permanent financing of multifamily housing developments. The County anticipates sufficient funds to be available to fund one applicant.

The maximum amount of the Local Government Support loans that may be applied for pursuant to this Notice of Fund Availability (NOFA) is the amount that will allow local projects to score the maximum points or preference for the Local Government Area of Opportunity Funding.

THE COUNTY RESERVES THE RIGHT, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, TO NOT FUND ANY APPLICANT AT A LEVEL REQUIRED FOR THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OPPORTUNITY FUNDING. THE COUNTY ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THIS NOFA PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION DEADLINE BASED UPON CHANGES TO FHFC RFA OR DECISIONS MADE BY THE COUNTY.

All applications received will compete with each other and be selected by the County for the available funding. Applications will be reviewed against the criteria listed below and, if selected, each loan will be subject to the minimum loan terms stated below.

NO CONTACT WITH BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND/OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AHAC) MEMBERS AFTER THE DATE THE NOFA IS ISSUED UNTIL THE AHAC MAKES ITS RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNTY MANAGER. During this period, no Applicant, Applicant Agent and/or Representative may contact members of the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and/or AHAC members concerning their application, any other applicant’s application, the merits of their firm, or any other aspect of the application and selection process. Violation of this prohibition will result in the disqualification of the Applicant and all of their developments.

Applications related to FHFC RFA 2025 are due no later than 12:00 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, August 15, 2025. Application requirements may be found at: (https://www.colliercountyhousing.com/developer-incentives-and-applications/#lgao-funding). For more information, contact Kristi Sonntag, Director, of the Community and Human Services Division.

SUBMISSIONS:
An original and one (1) hard copy of the entire application, and a PDF of the application to:
Collier County Government
c/o Community and Human Services Division
Kristi Sonntag, Director
3339 East Tamiami Trail, Building H., Suite 213
Naples, FL 34112
Email: Kristi.Sonntag@collier.gov

NOTICE – Area of Opportunity Funding Availability
2025 LGAO Application Selection Criteria Scores Sheet Template

Qualified Opportunity Zones were created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These zones are designed to spur economic development and job creation in communities that would benefit from revitalization throughout the country and U.S. possessions by providing tax benefits to those who invest eligible capital into these communities. Taxpayers may defer tax on eligible capital gains by making an investment in a Qualified Opportunity Fund and meeting other requirements.

Providing a tax deferment incentive encourages long-term investment and job creation in targeted communities. This is one strategy to enhance the ability to attract businesses, developers and financial institutions to invest in targeted areas, or distressed communities.

What is a Qualified Opportunity Fund?
A Qualified Opportunity Fund is an investment vehicle that files either a partnership, or corporation federal income tax return and whose purpose is to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zone property. The fund model also enables a broad array of investors to pool their resources in Opportunity Zones, increasing the scale of investments in underserved areas. It also offers many tax benefit tiers, including a permanent exclusion from taxable income of capital gains from the sale or exchange of an investment in the fund, if the investment is held for at least 10 years.

More information is available on the county’s Opportunity Zone webpage.

Interested in forming a qualified Opportunity Fund?
An eligible corporation or partnership self-certifies by filing Form 8996 with its federal income tax return.

Additional Resources
This IRS FAQs sheet and this Florida Department of Economic Opportunity page answer more questions about the federal program. Also, the Economic Innovation Group created an informative fact sheet.

This program is designed to rehabilitate rental units in Collier County. Loans will be given to non-profit/for-profit housing landlords/owners who have site control and ownership of the properties to rehabilitate existing single-family, multifamily or mobile/manufactured rental units on scattered site or a rental complex. Assistance may be provided for large projects involving the repair of multiple rental units. This program is currently covered for fiscal years 2019-2020, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Those who fall under extremely low, very low, low and moderate income levels may qualify under this program. The maximum award per property is $500,000, with a maximum per unit award amount of $30,000.

For more information about rental rehabilitation please see page 16 of the SHIP Local Housing Assistance Plan.