Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Homeownership Program
First mortgage · New construction · Income limits
single_family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Indiana
Buying a home in St. Joseph County, IN
1 county-wide program, 2 cities with their own, plus 8 statewide and 62 nationwide.St. Joseph has 1 program that covers the whole county and 2 cities with a program of their own. On top of those, 8 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in St. JosephAnywhere in St. Joseph County
1 program for every St. Joseph address1 program that covers every St. Joseph address
It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.This is run for the whole county, so a home in South Bend, Mishawaka or Granger can use it. It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Only inside city limits
2 cities with their own program2 St. Joseph cities with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 1.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 1 county-wide program above.
The St. Joseph marketThe St. Joseph housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in St. Joseph
- 73.8% single-familysingle-family
- 3.1% townhousetownhouse
- 5.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 16.2% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.6% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 0 of the 1 county-wide program and 1 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Homeownership Program lists single_family. City of Mishawaka Homeownership Down Payment Assistance (HSS-1) lists single_family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When St. Joseph’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
64.4%
of St. Joseph homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$88,100
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, St. Joseph County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$66,868
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in St. Joseph (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
69%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Indiana: 70.6%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 14 of the 73 programs here set their income limit as a share of St. Joseph County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for St. Joseph County
Free help in St. JosephFree help in St. Joseph
2 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county2 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in St. Joseph County
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.2 of the 3 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
Find my counselor
Free account → 90-second match → your counselors · Sign in
Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in St. Joseph County.
10 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in St. Joseph CountyAll 10 cities and places in St. Joseph County
has a program of its own
St. Joseph questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in St. Joseph?
The 1 county-wide program cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Mishawaka’s and South Bend’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in St. Joseph County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do St. Joseph programs accept condos?
0 of the 1 county-wide program and 1 of the 2 city programs list condos as eligible. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County Homeownership Program lists single_family. City of Mishawaka Homeownership Down Payment Assistance (HSS-1) lists single_family. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in St. Joseph?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 2 agencies have an office in St. Joseph County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.