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Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Chicago, Illinois, administered by Habitat for Humanity Chicago.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity Chicago

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Current homeowners ineligible
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 620 or higher required; 580-619 or invisible/no credit may be acceptable with alternate credit documentation
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat Chicago in-house education classes and workshops; HUD-certified credit counselors recommended for pre-application preparation; Homebuyer University (separate public course offered by Habitat Chicago)
  • Residency: Must choose to live in West Pullman, Austin, or Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods of Chicago
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Not stated; implied US-based
  • Applicants must complete 200-250 sweat equity hours (including 100+ on build site) over 8-14 months. Must attend monthly homebuyer education classes. Cannot be current homeowner. No judgments. No bankruptcy in past 2 years. No foreclosure in past 3 years. Not a registered sex offender for serious violations. Application accepted year-round until all units sold.
  • A home inside Chicago city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Chicago

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

80% of Cook 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.

$121,500
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Chicago’s homes

  • 25.6% single-family
  • 3.5% townhouse
  • 27.4% 2–4 units
  • 43.1% 5+ units
  • 0.3% mobile & other

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

$334,100

Chicago median home value

75.2%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Chicago

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat Chicago in-house education classes and workshops; HUD-certified credit counselors recommended for pre-application preparation; Homebuyer University (separate public course offered by Habitat Chicago).

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity Chicago to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Year-round application; limited to available units in West Pullman and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods, 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 Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Chicago, Illinois, administered by Habitat for Humanity Chicago. Habitat for Humanity Chicago provides a subsidized 0% interest first mortgage on newly constructed homes in Chicago's West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin neighborhoods. Homebuyers must demonstrate housing need (income below 80% Chicago AMI), ability to repay (income at or above 40% AMI, credit 620+, DTI <=43%), and willingness to partner (200-250 sweat equity hours over 8-14 months, monthly classes). Total housing payment does not exceed 30% of gross monthly income. A Shared Appreciation Agreement applies for the first half of the loan term. Habitat seeks down payment assistance (including DPP Advantage) on buyer's behalf. 0% interest mortgage. Housing payment capped at 30% of income. Habitat seeks DPA on buyer's behalf. Includes homeownership education and support. One-year construction warranty. Ongoing homeownership support workshops. Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity Chicago organizational funds, grants, donations, DPP Advantage (when available), third-party assistance.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity Chicago. Repayment is triggered by Full repayment required on sale; Shared Appreciation Agreement splits appreciation with Habitat during first half of loan term (e.g., 15 of 30 years) at diminishing rate. The assistance is recorded in First lien 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 Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Current homeowners ineligible. On credit, the program states: 620 or higher required; 580-619 or invisible/no credit may be acceptable with alternate credit documentation. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat Chicago in-house education classes and workshops; HUD-certified credit counselors recommended for pre-application preparation; Homebuyer University (separate public course offered by Habitat Chicago). Residency requirement: Must choose to live in West Pullman, Austin, or Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods of Chicago. Citizenship or immigration status: Not stated; implied US-based. Applicants must complete 200-250 sweat equity hours (including 100+ on build site) over 8-14 months. Must attend monthly homebuyer education classes. Cannot be current homeowner. No judgments. No bankruptcy in past 2 years. No foreclosure in past 3 years. Not a registered sex offender for serious violations. Application accepted year-round until all units sold.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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 Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Purchase price does not exceed Fair Market Value (appraised); set near closing based on updated appraisal. Eligible property types include single-family (new construction built by Habitat Chicago). New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Chicago, Illinois. The program targets specific areas: West Pullman and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods, Chicago, IL. Homes also in Austin neighborhood. Buyer must live in one of these focus neighborhoods.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity Chicago Affordable Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity Chicago, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Year-round application; limited to available units in West Pullman and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods. 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 Habitat for Humanity Chicago and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.