(239) 775-0036
Become a Habitat Homeowner
Ready to explore homeownership with Habitat? Start by reviewing our basic qualifications, then scroll down to view communities currently accepting applications, and fill out the quick pre-qualification form, or read our FAQ. You can also give us a call to set up a one-on-one meeting with an advisor.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Open only to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents
- Must have lived or worked in Collier County for at least one year
- Minimum income of $35,000 per year (depending on debt)
- Commit 500 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build homes
INCOME GUIDELINES
Family Size |
Minimum Income |
Maximum Income |
| 2 | $35,000 | $72,750 |
| 3 | $35,000 | $81,150 |
| 4 | $35,000 | $90,900 |
| 5 | $35,000 | $98,200 |
| 6 | $35,000 | $105,450 |
*subject to change
Now accepting applications for Naples and Immokalee!
Click the images above to explore our available communities, then hit the button below to complete the short pre-qualification form. After you submit it, give us a call to schedule your appointment.
This form helps our advisors review your basic information and follow up to talk through your next steps. It’s not a full application, and submitting it doesn’t guarantee acceptance into the program. At your appointment we will review your pre-qualification form and discuss next steps.
Naples
Appointments
239-775-0036
Immokalee
Appointments
239-657-4466
Want to learn more?
Join us for a Virtual Open House!
Join us for a virtual Habitat open house to learn all about the requirements to become a Habitat homeowner, the application process, and more!
For your convenience, these meetings are hosted monthly via Zoom conference.
Upcoming Meetings:
FAQ
🏘️ General Eligibility
Can I apply if I’m single, don’t have children, or am disabled or retired?
Yes. We are an equal housing opportunity provider and do not discriminate based on family status, disability, or marital status. You may apply as long as you meet our three main criteria:
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Need for housing
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Ability to repay the mortgage
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Willingness to partner with Habitat
Can I apply if I have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
No. To be eligible, you must be either a U.S. citizen or have a valid permanent resident card (green card).
Can I apply if I’m legally married but only one of us is a citizen or has a permanent resident card?
No. Both spouses must meet the citizenship or permanent residency requirements to qualify.
Can I apply if I’m separated but not legally divorced?
No. You must have a finalized divorce decree in order to apply. To protect your investment, we cannot accept applications from individuals in the process of divorce who are still legally married, even if they are legally separated.
💼 Employment & Income
I recently started a new job. How long do I need to be employed before I can apply?
You must be employed for at least three months with your new employer before applying. If you’re only changing positions with the same employer, you may apply immediately.
Does child support count towards my income?
Yes — if the payments are court-ordered and made consistently, they can be counted as part of your income.
However, informal or irregular support payments that aren’t legally documented cannot be included.
Are food stamps counted towards my income?
No. Food stamps are not considered income for the purposes of our application.
🏠 Property Ownership & History
Can I apply if I previously owned property?
Yes. You can apply if it has been at least three years since the property was sold, removed from your name, or awarded to another party in a divorce.
Can I apply if I’ve filed for bankruptcy?
Yes, depending on the type of bankruptcy:
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Chapter 7: You may apply three years after discharge.
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Chapter 13: You may apply seven years after discharge.
💳 Credit & Debt
Do you pull my credit score? What is the minimum score to be considered?
While we do pull a credit report as part of the application process, your specific credit score is not a determining factor in whether an application is approved. Habitat Collier reviews credit history, rather than just a credit score. Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is a more important consideration than credit score, which must not exceed 13% of your gross annual income.
Will credit issues like collections, student loans, or a repossessed car affect my application?
They may. Because Habitat offers interest-free loans, a strong repayment history is important. For student loans in deferment, we count 1% of the loan balance as a monthly payment.
💡 Homeownership
How long after being approved to partner will I move into my home?
Timelines vary for each family depending on several factors. The average time from final approval to closing day is about 6 to 8 months, but depending on availability, construction schedules, and the amount of time it takes for you to complete pre-purchase requirements, your timeline could be longer or shorter than this average.
Do I get to choose the location of my home?
After partially completing program requirements, partner families may choose their specific home from the inventory available at that time. Typically, this means choosing a specific home or unit within the neighborhood where we are currently building.
How much will I pay each month?
Monthly mortgage payments are tailored to fit the affordability needs of the homeowner(s), with the payment not exceeding 30% of monthly income.
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County will provide to all applicants, equal opportunity to obtain housing regardless of religion, race, color, gender, physical or mental disabilities, national origin or familial status. HFHCC will not discriminate in providing opportunity for sale or financing of housing and will assist all persons who feel they have been discriminated against because of religion, race, color, gender, physical or mental disabilities, national origin, or familial status to seek equity under federal and state laws by providing information on how to file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Rights.
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