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Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Gary, Indiana, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana - minimum 10 educational workshops required
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Legal Permanent Residents of the United States
  • Must be Legal Permanent Resident of the US. Income within 2026 HUD income guidelines for Lake County (minimum and maximum per household size). Two-year continuous employment history. Credit report must not show any judgment, collections, bankruptcy, or foreclosure. Housing need required. Must complete 300 sweat equity hours and attend minimum 10 educational workshops. $30 application fee.
  • A home inside Gary city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Homes outside Gary

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

Where it applies

Gary’s homes

  • 71.9% single-family
  • 5.6% townhouse
  • 6.7% 2–4 units
  • 13.3% 5+ units
  • 2.5% mobile & other

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

$94,700

Gary median home value

88.4%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana - minimum 10 educational workshops required.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Gary, Indiana, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana (serving Lake County, headquartered in Gary) provides low-income families the opportunity to own a home through sweat equity partnership, volunteer-built construction, and an affordable Habitat-financed mortgage. Affordable Habitat-financed mortgage; volunteer-built homes reducing cost; 300 sweat equity hours; minimum 10 homeowner education workshops; ADA-accessible builds available. Funding comes from Habitat revolving mortgage fund; Indiana Attainable Homeownership Tax Credits; donations.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana. The assistance is recorded in 1st 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 Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana - minimum 10 educational workshops required. Citizenship or immigration status: Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. Must be Legal Permanent Resident of the US. Income within 2026 HUD income guidelines for Lake County (minimum and maximum per household size). Two-year continuous employment history. Credit report must not show any judgment, collections, bankruptcy, or foreclosure. Housing need required. Must complete 300 sweat equity hours and attend minimum 10 educational workshops. $30 application fee.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: 2026 HUD income limits for Lake County (Gary MSA): 1-person $35,350-$56,500; 4-person $50,450-$80,700; 8-person $66,600-$106,550. Both minimum and maximum apply. 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 Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program can be used for single_family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Gary, Indiana.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. 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 of Northwest Indiana and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.