HOMEOWNERSHIP
Our homeownership program is about more than building new homes.
When a qualified local family is in need of shelter, they may partner with Habitat for Humanity to build and purchase a home right here in our community. Habitat Homeowners are active partners in the construction of their homes, building skills they will use as they continue to live in and maintain their homes. Partner Families benefit from stabilized housing costs, which allows them to reliably invest in their health, education, and savings, building wealth and stability that will support their families and benefit our community.
Home begins here. Build With Us!
Homeownership opens doors to create a legacy of strength, stability and self-reliance.
Each Partner Family demonstrates a need for affordable housing, willingness to partner with Habitat, and the ability to repay an affordable mortgage. The home price and mortgage financing terms are structured to be affordable for the buyer. The buyer commits time, energy and sweat equity volunteer hours to the construction of their home. Habitat SLO County supports the families by providing training on construction safety, home maintenance and repair, and financial literacy classes. The mortgage payments are then returned to our community to build and maintain more affordable housing in San Luis Obispo County.
Qualifying for a Habitat Home
Qualified applications are reviewed by our Homeowner Selection Committee, and loan applications are underwritten to ensure successful homeownership. A selected applicant will meet the following criteria for homeownership.
- Provide a reliable source of income that meets upper and lower program limits.
- Demonstrate the ability to make an affordable monthly mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) that does not exceed 30% of their household gross monthly income.
- Be able to provide a minimum down-payment if required.
- Demonstrate good credit and rental history.
- Must be a first-time home-buyer.
- Demonstrated need for adequate, affordable, and/or safe housing in San Luis Obispo County.
- Qualified applicants will participate in interviews with our Homeowner Selection Committee.
- Must currently live or work in SLO County and be US citizen(s) or provide proof of permanent residency.
- Commit to partnering with Habitat SLO County and support the efforts of the local affiliate.
- Contribute the required minimum sweat equity volunteer service hours to the organization.
- Commit to attend all project meetings, trainings, and workshops as scheduled.
Income Limits
The values below describe the upper income limit for each household size. The limits are calculated as a percent of the area median income (AMI).
| Household Size | Very-Low Income 50% of AMI | Low Income 80% of AMI |
| 1 | $40,550 | $64,900 |
| 2 | $46,350 | $74,150 |
| 3 | $52,150 | $83,400 |
| 4 | $57,900 | $92,650 |
| 5 | $62,550 | $100,100 |
| 6 | $67,200 | $107,500 |
| 7 | $71,800 | $114,900 |
| 8 | $76,450 | $122,300 |
Income limits are established on an annual basis. The income requirements for each project will vary by application year. See specific program application documents for more information.
Site data updated 2/19/24.
Frequently Asked Questions | Homeownership
I am in urgent need of affordable housing. What organizations can help me?
Habitat SLO County is not in the position to serve those in urgent or emergency need of affordable housing. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity on a building project can be a multi-year process and, while it is a rewarding experience and provides an opportunity for low-income residents to move into decent, affordable homes, it is not suited for those in an urgent or emergency housing situation.
There are other housing-support agencies in San Luis Obispo that may be able to help.
- 40 Prado Homeless Services Center
- ECHO El Camino Homeless Organization
- Five Cities Homeless Coalition
- Transitions Mental Health Association (TMHA) Supportive Housing Programs
- SLO County Drug & Alcohol Services Residential Program
- Lumina Alliance (partner violence)
- Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO) Supportive Housing Program
- Department of Social Services Referral for Housing Deposit or Evection Preventions
- SLO Solutions – Wilshire Creative Mediation
- People’s Self-Help Housing
- Housing Authority San Luis Obispo
- SLO Legal Assistance Foundation (SLOLAF)
How does Habitat for Humanity homeownership work?
Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need,
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat,
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan,
Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners, in addition to paying an affordable mortgage and receiving financial education.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.
Does Habitat give homes away for free?
No. When a qualified applicant is selected to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home, they commit to repaying an affordable mortgage, and partnering with Habitat in several ways including the commitment to provide sweat equity volunteer hours toward the construction of their home.
How do I know if I qualify for a Habitat house or program?
When applications are being accepted by our affiliate or one of our programs, Habitat SLO County will provide application and qualification information on this website. Our Apply page has a quick reference of current opportunities. Criteria for qualification may vary from year-to-year, and requirements may change depending on the program. Review the program application details for more information on qualifying for a Habitat home or other program.
How are the mortgages so affordable?
Habitat homes are built on the generosity of the community where they stand. Oftentimes, land, labor, materials, and services are donated to the project which helps to keep costs low. Because our selected homebuyers must meet certain income criteria, our programs are supplemented by government and other programs. Together, these factors help keep mortgage payments affordable.
Homeownership Application Period Closed
The latest application period for our active build project on Vine St. in Paso Robles closed on November 6, 2023.
We are not accepting applications for our Homeownership Program at this time.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.