Apply for a Habitat Home

Stop paying rent. Start building equity.

Buy a brand-new home with an affordable 30-year mortgage. Built for working families: teachers, pharmacy techs, bank managers, and people like you.

Do I Qualify?

If you can check all of these, you’re likely ready to apply.

You need better housing: high rent, overcrowded or substandard
Household income fits the range for its size (see table)
2 years of steady work, 6 months at your current job
Median credit score of 620 or higher
Total debt-to-income ratio, including student loans, at or under 43% of income
No bankruptcy or foreclosure in the last 7 years
Able to save $5,000 for closing costs
Ready to partner: sweat equity hours and homebuyer classes

2026 income guidelines

60% to 80% of Orlando-area median income

Household size	Yearly income
1	$48,300 – $64,350
2	$55,200 – $73,550
3	$62,100 – $82,750
4	$68,940 – $91,900
5	$74,460 – $99,300
6	$79,980 – $106,650
7	$85,500 – $114,000
8	$91,020 – $121,350

Example: a family of 3 earning $68,950 a year falls inside the range.

"After moving from apartment to apartment, it was so exciting to finally have a place we can call home. The whole Habitat organization will help you get there."

Jackie, bank manager, Habitat homeowner since 2024

A home you'll be proud to own

Habitat homes are brand-new single-family homes and townhomes, built with new materials by licensed subcontractors and inspected at every required step.

Move-in ready kitchen with stove, range hood, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave
Built to Energy Star efficiency for lower utility bills
Homes are matched to approved partner families as they become available

Designed to fit a working life

You invest time instead of a big down payment, helping build homes and learning to own one.

15 hrsminimum a month

200 / 400total hours, single / two heads of household

Homebuyer education classes count toward your hours
Up to 3 friends or family members can help earn hours

Three Steps to Your Habitat Home

Check your credit

Confirm a 620+ median score before you start.

Gather documents

Pay stubs, tax return, bank statements, ID. See the checklist

Apply online

Create an account and submit your application. The fee is $85 for one applicant, or $170 if you're applying with a co-applicant.

Want the whole journey? Watch the Pathways to Homeownership Video

From your first question to getting your keys, on your own time. Jump to the chapter you need.

Chapters

Let's talk. Most families start here.

Tell us a little about you and a Habitat team member will reach out. No application, no fee, no pressure.

First name

Last name

Mobile phone

Where are you today?

I think I'm ready to apply I need help with getting credit and savings ready I have a question about the process

Preferred language

English Español

Best time to reach you

We’ll only use your information to help you on your path to homeownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Habitat home free?

No. You buy your home at fair market value with an affordable 30-year mortgage, and Habitat makes no profit. It’s a hand up, not a handout.

What will my monthly payment be?

Every household is different. Habitat sets your mortgage term and payment based on what your household can afford, and the payment includes property taxes and homeowners insurance.

I have good credit and a steady job. Is Habitat for me?

Very possibly. The program is built for working households earning 60% to 80% of the area median income who pay too much of that income in rent.

Do student loans count against me?

They’re included in your debt-to-income ratio, even in deferment. Total debt, including your new mortgage, needs to stay at or under 43% of income.

What if I'm not approved?

You’ll get the reasons and the tools to address them, and you can reapply. Many families start with Financial Academy or a housing counselor.

Where are the homes?

Habitat builds single-family homes and townhomes in the neighborhoods it serves. Homes are assigned to approved families as they become available, so the best first step is getting ready and applying.

Full requirements

Housing need

In order to qualify, your current housing situation must be one or more of the following:

Inadequate
Overcrowded
Transitional
Substandard Government Subsidized
Unaffordable (More than 35% of monthly income goes towards rent)

Income and employment

Income:

Stable, verifiable income between 60%-80% of HUD Median Income levels for the Orlando Metropolitan area (see Income Qualification Guidelines).
You must have a minimum of two years work history with six months at your current employer.

Budget:

Your estimated mortgage payment should be no more than 35% of your income.
You must be willing to save $5,000 for your own closing costs.

Credit, debt and student loans

Credit:

Ability to timely meet credit obligations can be evidenced by showing that the potential homebuyer has a median credit score of 620.

Debt:

Your mortgage and other debt combined should be no more than 43% of your income.
No more than $2,000 in non-medical delinquent debt at the time of application.
All non-medical delinquent debt must be paid off before purchase of the home.

Student loans:

All student loan debt liabilities, even in deferment and when included in debt-to-income ratio, should not be more than 43% of your income.

Bankruptcy, foreclosure and court obligations:

Must wait seven years after a bankruptcy is discharged and reestablish good credit.
No property foreclosed on within the past seven years.
All court fees, fines, time served, community service, etc. must be fully satisfied, and any civil judgment or tax lien paid in full and satisfied, prior to being accepted into the homeownership program.

Partnership commitments and sweat equity

In order to qualify, you must be willing to do the following in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka:

Work 200 hours of “sweat equity” for a single head of household or 400 hours for a dual head of household (a minimum of 15 hours of sweat equity each month).
You must accept a home in the neighborhoods where Habitat Seminole-Apopka serves.
You must attend the required homeowner classes as scheduled.
You will be responsible for maintenance of your house from the time you move into your home.
You will be responsible for repaying the purchase cost of your home in a timely manner so that other potential homebuyers can benefit from the Habitat program.

Application documents checklist

All applications must include the following:

Proof of monthly income from all sources: wages from ALL employers (last 3 months of pay stubs), government benefits and child support. Required for every working member of the household.
Copy of court order for child support and payment history (if applicable)
Copy of SSI benefit paperwork for everyone in the household receiving benefits
Copy of your most recent tax return with W-2s
Last 6 months of bank statements for every household member with an account
All student loan paperwork from the creditor: monthly payment, payment status, outstanding balance and terms
Copy of your current lease (if applicable)
Legal identification for ALL family members: birth certificates, Social Security cards and driver’s licenses

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