Our applications are closed for now but check back with us in late 2025 when we reopen them. Below is helpful information for you to know.
How do I qualify?
1. Need for Better Housing
Need for Better Housing can mean, but is not limited to:
- structural problems, plumbing problems, roofing problems
- extremely high rent (more than 30% of your income) or extremely high utility bills
- unsafe area for children
- too many people in a small home
2. Ability to Pay
- Habitat homes are sold with an affordable mortgage.
- The Table below shows the Lee County, MS 2025 HUD income limits. We select families between 55% and 80% of household median annual income.
- We want to make sure families are able to make their house payments.
| Household Size | ||||||
| 1 Person | 2 People | 3 People | 4 People | 5 People | 6 People | |
| MUST have a monthly household income of (before taxes): | $2,700-$3,925 | $3,083-$4,485 | $3,470-$5,046 | $3,854-$5,606 | $4,162-$6,055 | $4,471-$6,503 |
When evaluating applications, we look at several criteria. Successful applicants have:
- Have at least 2 years of stable income
- A total household gross income that is between 55% – 80% of Area Median Income, which is a monthly income between $2,700 – $6,500 depending on the number in the household. To qualify for the mortgage, the estimated house payment cannot exceed 30% of applicant and co-applicant’s gross income.
- After an initial review, Habitat may request your pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, bank statements, etc.
- Have an acceptable level of non-housing debt and payment history
- Been discharged from any prior bankruptcy for at least three (3) years
Habitat homebuyers are asked to:
- Complete homebuyer and financial education classes
- Make a $750 down payment
- Volunteer with us for at least 250 hours
- Agree to one of the lots selected by Habitat
- Purchase the home for cost of construction
- Agree to maintain the home as their residence
- Demonstrate they can afford an estimated mortgage payment between $700-$750/month (payment includes property tax and homeowner’s insurance)
Types of income to qualify:
- Income from permanent employment (not seasonal or temporary)
- Self-employment income must be verified by 1 year of tax returns
- Social Security, Social Security Disability, SSI, etc. that is expected to continue for at least three (3) years
- Retirement, pension, etc.
- Child support, alimony, etc. that is expected to continue for at least three (3) years
Credit Requirements:
If your income meets our guidelines, Habitat will review your current and past debts and your payment history. Habitat for Humanity does NOT have a minimum credit score, but we will review your credit report.
Types of debt that are included in your debt to income ratio:
Habitat must consider your other minimum monthly debt payments to determine if you can afford to pay your mortgage and your other debts. Your estimated mortgage payment AND your other minimum monthly debt payments cannot exceed 43% of your income.
- Estimated house payment (including property taxes and homeowner’s insurance)
- Car payment(s)
- Min. payments on credit cards, store cards
- Personal loans, finance company loans, payday loans, etc.
- Student loans (even those in deferment or forbearance)
- Loans you have co-signed for others (even if someone else is making the payments)
3. Willingness to Partner
- If you are selected for a Habitat home, you must put in a total of 250 sweat equity hours.
- Sweat equity hours are earned volunteering on construction for other partner families’ homes.
- Sweat equity hours can also be earned through other volunteer opportunities.
- If selected, you must also complete homeowner education courses.