Do you qualify for Habitat homeownership?

Your household's total income before taxes must be within Habitat's income limits. The maximum income depends on how many people will live in the home.

What counts as household income?

Regular income may include wages, public assistance, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other recurring household income.

Is there a minimum income?

Yes. There is not one minimum income amount for every household. Applicants must have enough steady income to afford the expected mortgage payment and meet applicable lending requirements.

Applicants must have a need for safe, stable, and affordable housing. Examples may include:

• Housing costs that are unaffordable or keep increasing
• Overcrowded living conditions
• Housing that is unsafe, unhealthy, damaged, or poorly maintained
• A home that does not meet the needs of a household member with a disability
• Limited access to affordable land, financing, or homes within your financial reach

Housing needs are reviewed as part of the application process.

Applicants must be in a financial position to take on mortgage debt and make the required monthly payments.

Habitat reviews household income, debts, credit, and other financial obligations to determine whether the mortgage is affordable.

At closing, your monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, and homeowners insurance will not exceed 30% of your gross monthly income.

Perfect credit is not required. Applicants must have credit and debt levels that meet applicable lending requirements.

Not ready yet?

Applicants who are not currently in a financial position to take on a mortgage may be referred to support services that can help them prepare for future homeownership.

Applicants must also meet applicable citizenship or permanent residency requirements.

Habitat homebuyers must qualify for mortgage financing. We work with established financing partners and help applicants navigate the process by gathering and packaging the required documents and communicating with the lender throughout the process.

Each lender has its own eligibility and underwriting requirements. The lender makes the final decision about loan approval.

Habitat is an approved USDA 502 Direct Loan Packager and can help applicants prepare their USDA loan package.

For USDA financing, applicants should be prepared for:

• A $30 cashier's check payable to USDA for the required credit check
• Approximately $1,200 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. Habitat will explain any costs before you begin the partner-loan process.

Applicants must have lived or worked within Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County's service area for at least one year.

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

Sweat equity may include:

• Helping build Habitat homes
• Volunteering at the Habitat ReStore in Zephyrhills
• Completing required homeownership classes
• Participating in other Habitat-approved activities

Future homeowners participate in Habitat’s homebuyer readiness classes to help prepare for the homeownership.

In addition, future homeowners must complete a through Pasco County. HUD-certified eight-hour homebuyer education course through Pasco County.

The course covers practical information to help prepare participants for successful homeownership, including mortgages, finances, insurance, and homeownership responsibilities.

Depending on the financing or assistance used, the course may need to be completed before closing and within two years of closing. The course is also open to the public before or after applying to Habitat.

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