Buy a Home
Quick Links:
- Where We Build
- Homeownership General Program Qualifications
- Application Process
- Lenders and Housing Counseling Partners
- Common Questions & Answers
If you have questions, please email [email protected] and schedule a phone meeting with our housing team.
Welcome to Habitat for Humanity Detroit! We provide a range of safe, affordable, and warrantied homes including newly built and beautifully rehabbed homes.
At Habitat for Humanity Detroit, we are committed to supporting you throughout your home buying journey. We offer comprehensive coaching, education, and support to ensure your success as a new homeowner.
Explore your options with us and take the next step towards owning a home with confidence.
Please note: We do not offer custom-built homes. Instead, you can select from our inventory of available properties, each thoughtfully constructed or renovated to meet high standards of quality and comfort.
1 - Where We Build
Detroit’s Eastside – Morningside Neighborhood
Nestled on Detroit’s Eastside, the Morningside Neighborhood is a vibrant community with a rich history of collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Detroit. This neighborhood is home to over 5,000 lots, three beautiful community parks, and a strong Neighborhood Association dedicated to continuous improvement.
Since 2006, Habitat for Humanity Detroit has been a driving force in revitalizing Morningside, investing in the construction and rehabilitation of more than 150 homes. Our joint efforts with the Morningside Neighborhood Association go beyond providing safe, stable housing. We are committed to enhancing the community by improving landscapes, creating safe pathways to work and school, removing blight, and supporting residents as they comfortably age in place. Together, we are building a brighter future for Morningside!
Detroit’s Westside - Coming in 2026 - Berg-Lasher
A quiet, residential neighborhood with a suburban feel. The area features ranch, bungalow, and colonial-style homes on larger lots, many of which are well maintained. The Berg-Lahser Community Association plays an active role in upkeep and neighborhood programs, while residents enjoy convenient access to shopping and daily needs. Overall, it is a stable, family-friendly, and peaceful part of Detroit.
2 - Homeownership Qualifications
1) Willingness to partner through sweat equity hours with Habitat Detroit.
2) Ability to save $2,000 toward your down payment
3) Be a First-Time Homebuyer
4) Obtain pre-approval from a lender for at least $100,000, meeting the lender’s credit and income requirements.
5) Household income must not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Annual Gross Household Income Guidelines
| Household Size | Maximum Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|
|
1 |
$56,600 |
|
2 |
$64,650 |
|
3 |
$72,750 |
|
4 |
$80,800 |
|
5 |
$87,300 |
|
6 |
$93,750 |
|
7 |
$100,200 |
|
8 |
$106,700 |
*Note: Income guidelines are subject to change.
3 - Application Process - Get Started Now
1 - Fill out Interest Form
Please complete the interest form by clicking below. You will automatically receive an email with your next steps.
2 - Connect with your Habitat Detroit Coach
After completing the steps emailed from Step 1 & emailing your pre-approval letter to [email protected], a coach will reach out to guide you through the next phase of the process.
3 - Processing & Notification
Once you have submitted the full application and all required documents, HFHD will review them and notify you of your enrollment status within 30 days. If you have questions or need clarification you are welcome to email [email protected] and schedule a phone meeting.
If you have questions or need clarification you are welcome to email [email protected] and schedule a phone meeting with our housing team.
4 - Participating Lenders
To proceed with the full Habitat for Humanity Detroit homebuyer application process, you must obtain a pre-qualification or pre-approval from a lender of your choice. This step is essential to determine your housing affordability.
Lender Options:
- Any Lender: You may choose any lender to obtain your pre-qualification or pre-approval. You are not required to use one of our participating lenders.
- Participating Lenders: If you prefer to use one of our participating lenders, please email them and indicate that you are seeking a pre-qualification or pre-approval of $100,000 or higher for the Habitat for Humanity Detroit Homebuyer Program. They will provide instructions on how to proceed with your application.
Documentation:
Be prepared to submit electronic copies of the following documents to your lender:
- Proof of income
- Bank statements
- Past 2 years of tax returns
Next Steps:
- If Approved: Submit your pre-qualification or pre-approval documentation with the full application.
- If Denied: Habitat for Humanity Detroit is here to assist you. We can connect you with specialty lenders or housing counselors to help you become lender-ready.
Lake Michigan Credit Union
Donte Stamps
Mortgage Loan Officer
Huntington Bank
Lisa Royster
Senior Community Loan Officer
First Merchants Bank
Dawn M. Elliot
CRA Mortgage Loan Officer
PNC Bank
Nathan Collard
Mortgage Loan Officer
Fifth Third Bank
Cherylene Jackson (CJ)
Sr CRA Loan Specialist
5 – Common Questions & Answers
Program Eligibility
What if I already own a home?
In order to be eligible for our homebuyer program, you must be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home within the last three years.
Do I need to be married or have a family?
No, Single individuals can purchase a Habitat home on their own or with another adults.
What are the income requirements?
Income requirements are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wayne County. Eligibility requires an income of 80% of the AMI or lower. Income guidelines can be found in section 2.
What is a pre-qualification and how do I get one?
A pre-qualification is a statement from a mortgage lender that indicates how much of a mortgage you can afford based on your current income, debt/income ratio, credit score, and down payment contribution. A pre-qualification can be secured from the lender of your choosing. You can also work with one of our participating lenders if you choose to.
What are the credit requirements and what if I do not meet them?
Lenders typically want to see a credit score of at least 580-600. Each lender will have different minimum score requirements.
If your credit prevents you from obtaining a pre-qualification, you can contact us for referrals to partner agencies than can assist with financial coaching. See section 3 above.
What requirements are there other than income?
Habitat requires our partner homebuyers to have a demonstrated need for housing, ability to afford a mortgage, and a willingness to contribute 150 hours of sweat equity. This includes but is not limited to attendance of homebuyer readiness classes, home builds, community events, and one-on-one sessions with your homebuyer coach.
Home Buying Process
How long will I be in the program before moving into my home?
The typical amount of time before moving into your home is 6-18 months, though time spent in the program greatly varies depending on a number of factors such as:
- Availability of a home that meets each homebuyers needs in terms of size, location, affordability etc.
- Completion of 150 hours of sweaty equity
- Maintaining a financial profile that allows you to secure a mortgage loan
- Saving $2000
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat equity is hands-on time that our future homeowners put into their home or other Habitat homes. Sweat equity builds a homeowners community through partnership with the Habitat affiliate and volunteers, as well as a sense of pride and the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills surrounding home maintenance.
A total of 150 sweat equity hours are required by each partner homeowner household, and unwillingness to participate is means for disqualification from the program.
How much do the houses cost and what will my monthly mortgage be?
Affordable housing costs an average of 30%-35% of one’s monthly gross income. As such, the cost of our homes and their monthly mortgage varies depending on each homebuyer’s needs and affordability.
Where does Habitat build?
Habitat for Humanity Detroit serves the communities of Wayne County and the City of Detroit. We build and renovate homes in many different areas of the county and work with homebuyers to secure the purchase of a home that meets the needs of that individual homebuyer and their family.
When can I see available homes?
To be eligible to view homes, you must be fully approved and actively participating in the program. This includes beginning to acquire sweat equity hours and contributing to your homebuyer savings.
Typically, you will view homes before they are completed. For rehabs, this might involve seeing the home in its gutted state, while for new builds, you may view the lot and blueprints. We also offer opportunities to see finished homes by attending other homebuyers’ home dedications.
Eligibility to view homes is determined primarily by your affordability, followed by your activeness in the program and duration in the program.
Equal Housing Opportunity Statement:
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the 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.