Habitat homebuyer selection

Partnering with individuals and families on the path to homeownership

At Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County, we build alongside individuals and families from communities such as Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, San Antonio, Lacoochee, St. Leo, and nearby neighborhoods to help make or keep homeownership possible.

If you live or work in east and central Pasco County 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 navigate the homeownership journey.

Where we build

Our service area includes Pasco County east of the Suncoast Parkway, we have built in areas such as: Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Spring Hill, Crystal Springs, and Lacoochee.

Decent shelter is something we all need to thrive. At Habitat for Humanity, we partner with individuals and families from all walks of life—whether you're single, married, raising children, child-free, or part of a multigenerational household. What matters most is your commitment to building a better future.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. Our homebuyers purchase their homes, building equity and long-term stability in the process.

More than just building houses, we’re building partnerships. If you're ready to take the next step toward affordable homeownership, we’re ready to walk alongside you—every step of the way.

Basic eligibility requirements

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

2. Ability to repay

• You have had a steady income for at least two years
• You meet income yearly guidelines (above) 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 homebuyer partners are people who share in our mission of community reinvestment and are ready to actively participate in the journey toward 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.

Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Additional requirements

A homebuyer partner must also: 

• Live or work in our service area in Pasco County (see map above)
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Pasco County Homebuyer Education Class

As part of our commitment to setting homebuyers up for long-term success, we connect our applicants with a HUD-certified Pasco County homebuyer education class. This 8-hour course equips future homeowners with the tools and knowledge needed for sustainable homeownership. Completion of this course may also be required depending on grant requirements and mortgage financing. This 8-hour course is:

• Mandatory for all borrowers seeking local, state, or federal down payment assistance
• If required before closing, must be completed within two years of your home’s closing date
• Open to the public and can be taken before or after applying with Habitat
• These classes are in all areas of the County. Spanish language classes are also available. 

To register for our classes, please contact Suncoast Housing Connections (Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation) at 727-442-7075 or register online.

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.

We understand that not everyone will meet the criteria for our homeownership program. While exceptions are rare, they may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you're not currently eligible, we encourage you to explore other affordable housing options by visiting www.FloridaHousingSearch.org, a helpful resource for finding affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the state.

Our team is here to answer questions and help guide you toward the best next step for your homeownership journey.