Applicants must demonstrate a need for safe, stable, and affordable housing. This may include:

• Unpredictable or unaffordable rent increases
• Overcrowded living conditions
• Housing that is damaged or poorly maintained
• Unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Mold, asthma triggers, or other health concerns
• A home that does not accommodate a disability
• Limited access to affordable land or financing
• A lack of homes within the applicant’s financial reach

Applicants must have a steady, verifiable source of income and meet the program’s income guidelines. Household income is reviewed before taxes and must fall between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income for the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater area.

Income limits are based on the number of people who will live in the home. Regular sources of household income may include wages, public assistance, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other recurring income.

Applicants must have lived or worked within our east and central Pasco County service area for at least one year.

Homebuyer partners are required to complete up to 400 hours of sweat equity as part of their partnership with Habitat.

Sweat equity may include helping build Habitat homes, attending homeownership classes, or volunteering at the Habitat ReStore in Zephyrhills.

Future homeowners complete a HUD-certified eight-hour homebuyer education course through Pasco County. The course provides practical information and tools to help prepare participants for successful, sustainable homeownership.

The course:

• Is required for borrowers receiving certain local, state, or federal assistance
• May need to be completed before closing
• Must be completed within two years of closing when required
• Is open to the public before or after applying to Habitat

To register, contact Suncoast Housing Connections at 727-442-7075 or register online.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to qualify for and repay a mortgage. This includes having verifiable income, an acceptable debt-to-income ratio, and credit that meets applicable lending requirements. Applicants must also meet citizenship or permanent residency requirements.

Perfect credit is not required. Habitat works to ensure that the monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, and homeowners insurance do not exceed 30% of the homebuyer’s gross monthly income at closing.

Applicants are encouraged to review their free credit reports before applying.

Some applicants may be required to obtain financing through a partner lender, such as USDA. Applicants using partner financing must also meet that lender’s eligibility and application requirements.

For USDA financing, applicants should be prepared for:

• A $30 cashier’s check payable to USDA for the required credit check
• Approximately $1,000 in personal funds before closing

The $30 credit-check fee applies only to the USDA loan application. Habitat does not charge an application fee.

Required fees and funds may vary and will be explained before the applicant begins the partner-loan process.