Strong and stable homes build strong and stable communities.

Working in partnership with local families, Habitat creates opportunities for homeownership.

Future Habitat homeowners are active participants in the home buying process. The foundation of our unique program is working in partnership with families seeking the strength, stability, and independence that homeownership provides. Habitat homeowners buy their very own homes, creating brighter futures for themselves and their families.

Future Habitat homeowners must meet three core qualifications:

In need of improved housing

Eliminating substandard housing is a core tenet of Habitat for Humanity.

Future homeowners must show a need that can be determined by many factors such as:

  • overcrowding

  • unsafe or unhealthy living conditions

  • rental costs that exceed 50% of monthly household income

  • overcrowding

  • unsafe or unhealthy living conditions

  • rental costs that exceed 50% of monthly household income

Willing to partner with Habitat

Future homeowners are active and positive members of the Habitat community.

All future homeowners are required to complete an assigned number of volunteer hours per adult buyer as part of their partnership. Opportunities include administrative assistance, special events, etc.

Able to pay an affordable mortgage

Applicants must have stable income and earn between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income. There should be at least two years of good credit, no bankruptcy within the past two years, and no delinquent debt. Mortgage payments are tailored to homeowners and will be no more than 30% of the gross monthly household income.

The journey to homeownership can be intimidating. We’ll be there at every step.

Purchasing your first home is a big deal. The Habitat path to homeownership begins with a multi-step approval process that ensures our program is right for for you. Our goal is to set you up for success so you can begin building a brighter future for yourself and your family.

Purchasing your first home is a big deal. The Habitat path to homeownership begins with a multi-step approval process that ensures our program is right for for you. Our goal is to set you up for success so you can begin building a brighter future for yourself and your family.

Here are answers to the questions we hear most.

Need more help?

Send us a message here.

We do not have a waitlist. Applications are not accepted on an open or rolling basis. Instead, we accept applications during an open period specific to the properties that are for sale at that time.

Sign up for our homeownership interest list here, and we’ll notify you when our next homeownership opportunity is available.

Applicants must be a current resident of San Diego County. Applicants do not need to be a U.S. citizen to qualify. However, you must be a documented permanent resident of the United States.

San Diego Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity housing provider. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the law and provide a program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

The length of the application process varies depending on the availability of homes. It may be more than a year from the beginning of the selection process until the family can move into their home.

Habitat ensures your 30-year affordable mortgage will be set at no more than 30% of your household gross monthly income at the time of purchase. The monthly payments that are paid to Habitat are used to help build more homes.

As part of their partnership with Habitat, future Habitat homeowners contribute a tailored amount of hours per adult applicant. This “sweat equity” can be performed assisting in the administrative offices, Habitat special events, or on other Habitat projects.

Each approved homebuyer/owner is required to partner with Habitat performing sweat equity.

Monthly housing payments are approximately 30% of the family’s monthly income at the time of purchase. This includes the principal, house insurance, HOA (if applicable), and property taxes.

Habitat retains the “Right of First Refusal” to purchase back any home in the event that a homeowner needs to sell. Habitat buys the home at a price that shares the appreciation in the value of the house with the homeowner. Equity share will be based on the income guidelines for affordable housing at the time of sale.

Some communities may require an applicant to work or live in that area.

We serve San Diego County. The location of the home or community depends on availability.

Please refer to the income guidelines and ensure you are in the range using your adjusted gross income. We do not require a down payment, but do ask for closing costs to be paid by future homeowners. The associated expectation is a minimum of $10,000.

To find your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), you will need your prior-year IRS Form 1040. The AGI will be field 11a on your tax form. If you do not have a copy of last year’s tax return, it can be accessed by logging in to your IRS Online Account to view your tax records, or check your past tax software account. If you did not file last year, your AGI is $0. 

Need financial guidance?

The San Diego Financial Literacy Center is a great place for residents to increase their financial literacy. Please find more information about their free programs and other resources here.