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Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara)

Santa Barbara County, California

Last verified
Income limit

60% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara)?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) is a grant for homebuyers in Santa Barbara County, California.

  • Habitat affiliate for Santa Barbara County. Partners with families for sweat equity construction of affordable homes. 0% interest mortgage provided.
  • Down payment and/or closing cost assistance.
  • Funding comes from Habitat/Donations/HOME.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale or transfer.
  • The assistance is recorded in First position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Contact lender for current credit score requirements
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat homebuyer education program (required)
  • Residency: Must occupy as primary residence
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Must complete 300-500 hours of sweat equity; income 30-60% AMI; no credit/criminal history that would impair ability to repay; 0% interest mortgage; below-market purchase price

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 60% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) limits household income to 60% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Low income: household income ≤60% of Area Median Income (AMI).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) caps the purchase price as follows: Contact program for current purchase price limits.

  • Eligible property types include Habitat-built single-family home.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) serves buyers purchasing in Santa Barbara County, California.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat homebuyer education program (required).

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability, and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara), explained

A short, free course on Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara): what it is, who it is for, whether it has to be paid back, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from June 2026. About ten minutes.

5 modules · About 10 minutes

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