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County programGrant

Habitat for Humanity Cabrillo (Santa Barbara)

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

Last verified

The program asks for

  • 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
  • A home in Santa Barbara County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 60% of area median income
  • Homes outside Santa Barbara County

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

Income limit

60% of Santa Barbara County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$118,600
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Santa Barbara County’s homes

  • 56.1% single-family
  • 8.3% townhouse
  • 9.2% 2–4 units
  • 21.7% 5+ units
  • 4.7% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$790,700

Santa Barbara County median home value

60%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Santa Barbara County

How to apply

  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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

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 homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: Contact lender for current credit score requirements. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat homebuyer education program (required). Residency requirement: 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.

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 homebuyers 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. Funds are reserved through Contact provider directly; subject to funding availability. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.