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Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) · Wilmington, Delaware

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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Wilmington, Delaware, administered by Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC).

  • HFHNCC's Homeownership Program offers qualifying low- to moderate-income New Castle County residents the chance to purchase a Habitat-built home with a 0% interest mortgage. Buyers must complete sweat equity hours (~225), financial coaching, and homebuyer readiness workshops. Applicants must be 21+, live/work in New Castle County for 12 consecutive months, have 12 months of verifiable income, and meet 35-80% AMI HUD income guidelines.
  • 0% interest mortgage.
  • New construction homes.
  • Financial education.
  • No waiting list.
  • Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity (donations, ReStore proceeds, volunteer/sweat-equity construction).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC).

  • 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 of New Castle County Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Marketed as a first-time Habitat homebuyer program; need-for-housing based
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Minimum credit score of 620
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HFHNCC financial coaching and homebuyer readiness workshops
  • Residency: Must live and/or work in New Castle County, Delaware consecutively within the past year
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. Sweat equity required (~225 hours). Minimum age 21. Settlement costs are the buyer's responsibility. Exact required sweat-equity hours, DTI, and mortgage term not numerically published on the page.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% 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 of New Castle County Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income (gross income of all adults) must fall within 35-80% of current HUD AMI for New Castle County (2026 guidelines).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • 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 of New Castle County Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Home is sold at an affordable price set by Habitat.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Wilmington, Delaware.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HFHNCC financial coaching and homebuyer readiness workshops.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application packet submitted in person; approvals tied to current builds (no waiting list), 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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