Information

Need for Housing – Housing need is met if at least one of the following applies: rental cost burden (paying more than 30% of monthly gross income toward housing costs), poor housing conditions, homelessness, or overcrowding.

Ability to Repay an Affordable Mortgage – Ability to repay an affordable mortgage is evaluated using financial and household factors, which may include the applicant’s credit report, outstanding debt, household income, employment verification, rent verification, and other relevant considerations.

Willingness to Partner – Willingness to partner means the buyer completes the program’s partnership requirements. This includes earning sweat equity through time spent in homebuyer education classes, financial management classes, monthly financial mentoring, volunteering, and participating in construction.

Additionally, all buyers must save a buyer contribution equal to 1% of their contract purchase price.

Additional Qualifications

All applicants must:

1. Reside in Blount County for the last 12 months
2. Be a legal resident of the United States
3. Household income at or below 80% area median income determined by HUD. For more information, please see Income Limits.
4. No ownership interest in a home for the last 3 years
5. No member of a household may be required by any jurisdiction to register as a sex offender
6. No household member 18 years old or older may be convicted of certain drug or violent criminal offenses (subject to review)

Income Limits

Blount County Habitat for Humanity will consider applications from homebuyers with household income at or below 80% of the area median income for the family size as determined by HUD. HUD updates this information annually.

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2. Habitat uses grant funds when available to make the home more affordable to the buyer. These grant programs may have additional income requirements that must be met by the buyer. Certain properties or funds may be restricted based on these requirements.