Partnering with individuals and families on the path to homeownership
At Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County, we partner with individuals and families from communities such as Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Spring Hill, San Antonio, Lacoochee, St. Leo, and nearby neighborhoods to make affordable homeownership possible.
If you live or work in one of these communities and are in need of safe, stable, and affordable housing, we invite you to explore our homebuyer selection process. We’re here to walk alongside you as you build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.
Pictured Above: The Cove in Dade City, Florida.
Where we build
Our service area includes Pasco County east of the Suncoast Parkway, we serve areas such as: Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Spring Hill, San Antonio, St. Leo, Lacoochee, Trilby, Blanton, Crystal Springs, Pasadena Hills, Richland
Decent shelter is something we all need to thrive. The people who partner with Habitat come from diverse backgrounds and life circumstances. You may be single, married, living with a partner, child-free, raising children, or sharing a household with multiple generations. What matters most is your willingness to work with us toward a shared goal: building a stable, affordable place to call home.
Habitat does not give away homes. Our homebuyers purchase their homes through a partnership that empowers them to build equity and a better future. Together, we make homeownership possible—one person, one family, and one home at a time.
How do individuals qualify to partner with Habitat on their journey to homeownership?
We partner with individuals and families from all walks of life who are ready to build a better future through affordable homeownership.
Our program is about more than building houses—it’s about building lasting partnerships with people who are ready to invest in their future. If you're ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk beside you.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
What we look for in a future Habitat homeowner partner:
- A demonstrated need for better housing—this might mean your current housing is unsafe, overcrowded, or unaffordable
- The ability to repay an affordable mortgage, which will not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income, this means a stable income that meets the income HUD guidelines (see below)
- A willingness to partner with us by completing sweat equity hours, which can include building your home, working in our ReStore, or attending homebuyer education sessions
A homebuyer partner must also:
- Live or work in our service area (see map above)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Income Guidelines
Applicants must have a household income between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), depending on family size. We encourage you to review our current guidelines below.
Income thresholds (determined by HUD) updated April 2025
| # of people that will be living in the home | Min. Income (Yearly) | Max Income (Yearly) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $32,000 | $58,450 |
| 2 people | $32,000 | $66,800 |
| 3 people | $32,000 | $75,150 |
| 4 people | $32,000 | $83,450 |
| 5 people | $32,000 | $90,150 |
| 6 people | $37,000 | $96,850 |
| 7 people | $41,000 | $103,500 |
| 8 people | $46,000 | $110,200 |
1. Need for better housing
We understand that many individuals and families face housing challenges due to circumstances beyond their control. You may be in need of a safe, stable home if you’re currently experiencing:
- Unpredictable rent increases
- Overcrowded living conditions
- Damaged or poorly maintained housing
- Unsafe neighborhoods
- Limited access to land or affordable financing
- A lack of homes within your financial reach
At Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County, we partner with people who are ready to take the next step toward homeownership and who meet the following criteria:
2. Ability to repay
- You have had a steady income for at least two years
- You meet income guidelines and maintain a manageable debt-to-income ratio
- You have reasonably good credit—perfect credit isn’t required
- You show a consistent ability to make payments on time
If your credit needs improvement, that’s okay. We can connect you with trusted resources to help you get ready to apply.
We’re here to walk alongside you on the journey to affordable homeownership—one step at a time, together.
3. Willingness to partner
We believe in building more than homes—we build partnerships with individuals and families who are committed to creating stronger communities.
Our future homebuyer partners are people who share in our mission of community reinvestment and are ready to actively participate in the journey toward affordable homeownership.
As part of our process, we carefully review and verify:
- Income and current housing situation
- Rental history and references
- Account status with utility companies and banks
- Credit history and background (including criminal history)
Once selected, homebuyer partners complete up to 400 hours of sweat equity, which may include helping build homes (your own and others'), volunteering at a Habitat ReStore, or participating in homeownership and financial education classes.
Together, we build strength, stability, and self-reliance—one partnership at a time.
Additional criteria
Pasco County Homebuyer Education Class
As part of our commitment to setting homebuyers up for long-term success, we require individuals and families who partner with Habitat for Humanity to complete a HUD-certified Pasco County homebuyer education class. This class empowers future homeowners with tools and knowledge for sustainable homeownership. This 8-hour course is:
- Mandatory for all borrowers seeking local, state, or federal down payment assistance
- Open to the public and can be taken before or after applying with Habitat
- Required before closing, and must be completed within two years of your home’s closing date
USDA 502 Program
If you're applying for a USDA 502 loan through our program, please note:
- A $25 cashier’s check (made payable to USDA) is required to cover your credit check. This is only for the USDA application, not the Habitat application.
- A cash requirement of approximately $1,000 (usually covering the first year of insurance) is typically needed. This can be paid over time before your home closing.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. These steps ensure that together, we build not just houses—but lasting stability and opportunity.
