Program Requirements

Participants in our Homeownership Program must meet the criteria outlined here:

1) Need for Housing

You cannot currently own a home or have owned a home in the past three years.

Furthermore, ONE of the following needs to be true:

  • You have inadequate shelter due to problems with heating, water supply, electricity, etc.
  • You are living in overcrowded conditions
  • You are spending more than 40% of income on housing (rent + utilities)
  • You are residing in a drug or crime-infested and unsafe neighborhood
  • You are residing in Section 8 or Public Housing
  • Your residence is not secured by an official lease agreement

2) Willingness to Partner

Future Habitat homeowners prepare for homeownership through education courses and volunteering to help build affordable homes.

  • Complete required “sweat equity” activities
  • Accept a home built by HabiJax
  • Work with a partnering lender
  • Be a good neighbor and representative of HabiJax

3) Ability to Pay

Home should not be a burden. Here’s what you will need to demonstrate an ability to pay:

  • Meet the monthly income range for your household size (see table below)
  • Work with lending partners to receive a pre-approval
    • Meet a minimum credit score requirement of 580
    • Have no more than $500 of delinquent debt (unpaid debt sent to collections)
    • Have at least $2,000 in savings at the time of your application
    • Have maintained full-time employment for at least 1 year or part-time employment for at least 2 years
  • Make a down payment of 1% of the purchase price of the home
  • Continue monthly mortgage payments per your lender agreement

If You Are Married

Generally, both parties must be included on the application and both meet all criteria.

Residency

Applicants must be either United States Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders).

Explore Homeownership

See our two-page flyer summarizing our process and the guidelines.

Eligibility

Current Monthly Gross Income Guidelines

Your gross income (before taxes) must fall within the range for your family/household size.

These guidelines are published by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Duval County residents, effective May 15, 2023.

  • Household
    Size
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • Minimum Monthly Income
  • $3,088
  • $3,088
  • $3,320
  • $3,687
  • $3,983
  • $4,279
  • $4,575
  • $4,871
  • Maximum Monthly Income
  • $6,820
  • $7,780
  • $8,760
  • $9,730
  • $10,510
  • $11,290
  • $12,070
  • $12,850

Income Calculator

This can help you convert wages to annual income. (Remember to use your gross income, without taxes taken out.)

Eligibility

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, including race, color, religion, sex, and handicap, marital or family status or national origin.