A demonstrated need for better housing may mean your current housing is unsafe, overcrowded, inaccessible, or unaffordable.

You may be in need of a safe, stable home if you are currently experiencing:

• Unpredictable rent increases
• Overcrowded living conditions
• Damaged or poorly maintained housing
• Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions
• Homes with mold, asthma triggers, or other health concerns
• A home that is inaccessible for a disability
• Limited access to land or affordable financing
• A lack of homes within your financial reach

Applicants must fall within the low to moderate annual income limits (before taxes) and meet all income-related eligibility guidelines. Applicants must also have steady income for the past two years.

Income limits are based on the number of people who will live in the home and are set between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income for the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area.

All regular sources of income are counted, including employment income, public assistance, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular income.

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

Homebuyers partner with Habitat throughout the process by completing sweat equity. This may include helping build homes, taking homeownership classes, or volunteering in a Habitat ReStore.

Once selected, homebuyer partners complete up to 400 hours of sweat equity.

This HUD-certified 8-hour course gives future homeowners tools and knowledge for sustainable homeownership.

• Mandatory for borrowers seeking local, state, or federal down payment assistance
• May be required before closing
• Must be completed within two years of closing when required
• Open to the public before or after applying with Habitat

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

Applicants must be able to show two years of verifiable income, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, a manageable debt-to-income ratio, and reasonably good credit.

Perfect credit is not required. Habitat ensures that monthly mortgage payments do not exceed 30% of the homebuyer’s gross monthly income at closing.

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

Some applicants may need to qualify for a loan through a partner agency, such as USDA.

• A $30 cashier’s check made payable to USDA is required to cover the credit check.
• This fee is only for the USDA application, not the Habitat application.
• A cash requirement of approximately $1,000 is typically needed before closing.