Home Buyer Program

HFHSWA serves disadvantaged families in need of safe, decent, affordable shelter. Our vision is to eliminate substandard housing in Mobile, Washington, and Clarke Counties. Due to Habitat’s no-profit, we will assist with obtaining an affordable mortgage, and because homes are built primarily by volunteers, mortgage payments are affordable to low income families who are unable to obtain conventional financing.

It's a hand up. Not a handout.

How to Qualify:

The selection committee approves families on the basis of need, willingness to partner, the ability to repay the loan and information provided in the application. Applications are available at our office.

Total annual household income CANNOT be less than the MINIMUM or

more than the MAXIMUM limit for your family size

Family Size, Minimum and Maximum GROSS Household Income:

Effective 6/2024 based on HUD guidelines. The minimum represents 50% of Mobile's AMI and the maximum represents 80% of Mobile's AMI.

Applicant must:

Meet the above Income Requirements
Have a debt-to-income ratio that falls under 40%. (Example: If you are a household of ONE with an income of $27,000 per year or $2,250 monthly and your expected Habitat mortgage is $650, with NO OTHER DEBT, your debt-to-income ratio would be 29%.)
Have a qualifying credit history with a minimum score of 640.
Pay a non-refundable credit check fee when the application is returned
Be able to make a down payment of $2,500
Be able to provide 300-400 sweat equity hours. (The number of hours will depend on how the home is financed; third party or in-house.)

NRequired Documents:

COMPLETED APPLICATION
Last 3 months of ALL bank statements (checking, savings, prepaid/government paid statements)
Copy of lease/rent agreement
Proof of auto insurance
Copy of driver’s license or federally issued ID and social security card
Copy of the last 3 months of pay stubs from all family members over the age of 18. If self- employed, you must show continuous monthly income on bank statements
Copy of most recent tax return
Copy of income statements other than pay stubs (SS, SSI, SSDI, TANF, VA, Pension, etc.)

The Home Buyer Program is closed as of September 9, 2024. Please check back in 6-8 months to see when we will reopen.

In order to be eligible for Mobile Habitat’s Home Buyer Program, there are certain criteria you will need to meet.

You must be able to answer “yes” to all statements below.

I am at least 18 years old and legally able to contract.
I am a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident.
I am unmarried or married but not separated. (If married, your spouse must also apply jointly with you.)
I have not had a bankruptcy discharged in the last two years and have not had more than one bankruptcy.
I have not had a foreclosure finalized in the last two years and owe no deficiency balance from a prior mortgage.
I have a 640+ credit score.
I have no pending criminal cases and no disqualifying criminal history in my household.
I am not a registered sexual offender and do not have a sexual offender who is or will be living in my home.
I have been employed in my current job for a minimum of six months (if applicable).
I do not currently own a livable home or have an existing mortgage balance.
My family size does not exceed six household members (this is to prevent overcrowding based on HUD recommendations regarding square footage per person per home).
My total annual household income does not exceed the limit for my family size (see table above).

HFHSWA does not base family selection decisions upon race, religion, sex, disability, family status, or national origin.

If you are unable to speak English an interpreter will be provided for you, please let us know in advance.

We invite hearing or speech impaired applicants to use TTY/TTD/TT equipment to communicate with HFHSWA.

For more information concerning the homeownership program, please contact the

Family Service Coordinator 251-476-7171 ext. 238.