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Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa · Mason City, Iowa

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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Mason City, Iowa, administered by Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa.

  • Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa builds and sells homes to income-qualified partner families in its six-county service area (Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, Wright). Selected families purchase the home with affordable monthly payments based on income, contribute sweat equity, and complete homebuyer education.
  • Purchase of a Habitat-built home with affordable monthly payments (principal, taxes, insurance) based on income.
  • Sweat equity.
  • Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa (donations, recycled mortgage payments, sponsors).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa.

  • 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 North Central Iowa Homeownership Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa (budgeting and home maintenance classes)
  • Residency: Must work or reside in the six-county service area (Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hancock, Winnebago, Worth, Wright)
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. 250 hours sweat equity per adult (max 500/family); demonstrate need, ability to pay, willingness to partner. Applications were not being accepted at time of research (notification list) — confirm open window before publish.

The program excludes

  • 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 North Central Iowa Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Total income up to ~80% AMI with min/max ranges by family size: 1p $18,790-$50,083 ... 4p $26,825-$71,525 ... 8p $35,425-$94,433.
  • 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 of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Mason City, Iowa.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa, 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 for Humanity of North Central Iowa (budgeting and home maintenance classes).

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Periodic application cycles; notification list maintained while closed, 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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