Habitat Home Ownership
Qualifying households buy a newly built home through an affordable mortgage in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties — sized to what they actually earn, and built in part by their own hands.
Applications are currently closed. Pre-application for our Evan Circle homes in Watsonville has ended for now. New phases open periodically.
The path to homeownership
Six stages, from your first form to your first set of keys. How long each takes depends on how many homes are available.
1
Pre-application & Orientation
We review your household's income and size against the basics, and walk you through what it actually means to be a Habitat homeowner.
2
Qualification & Selection
You'll submit a full application — credit check, background check, and income verification. We select based on ability to pay, need for housing, and willingness to partner.
3
Lottery
Qualified applicants are chosen at random. How many we can select depends on how many homes are available that phase.
4
Partnership Hours
Each household contributes 500 volunteer hours — building their own home, or another Habitat family's, alongside our crew.
5
Escrow
A final income review, then your loan moves through escrow — a $1,500 down payment plus closing costs.
6
Move In
Keys in hand. You're a Habitat homeowner.
Do You Qualify?
Five things we check during pre-application. Meeting all five gets you to step two.
Income
Between 50% and 80% of the area median income, based on household size. HUD sets these limits annually.
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Monterey County limits
Santa Cruz County limits
Legal Residency
Everyone on the title shows proof of legal U.S. residency, and at least one applicant shows proof of permanent residency.
Credit
620 minimum score, on-time payment history, no unresolved collections, and debt-to-income under 40%.
First-time Buyer
No ownership in a primary residence during the three years before purchase, per HUD's definition.
Occupancy
Your household needs to fit the home: no fewer than one person per bedroom, no more than two, and couples of any kind share a bedroom.
Ready to start when applications reopen?
Sign up to hear when the next pre-application period opens, or reach out with questions in the meantime.
Or call (831) 469-4663