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County program

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Traverse City, Michigan, administered by Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Credit rating of 'Good' (640-739) or better; personal debt under 11% of income.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat GTR Financial Management/Budgeting/Home Maintenance classes; Habitat Michigan financial coaching
  • Residency: Serves the Grand Traverse Region (including Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties).
  • Habitat sweat-equity homeownership with stated DPA benefit, assistance_type=other.
  • A home in Grand Traverse County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 120% of area median income
  • Homes outside Grand Traverse County

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

120% of Grand Traverse 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.

$113,900
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Grand Traverse County’s homes

  • 72.5% single-family
  • 4.3% townhouse
  • 4.5% 2–4 units
  • 11.9% 5+ units
  • 6.7% mobile & other

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

$339,400

Grand Traverse County median home value

41.5%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Grand Traverse County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat GTR Financial Management/Budgeting/Home Maintenance classes; Habitat Michigan financial coaching.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Interest form then application/selection by volunteer family selection committee., 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 Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Traverse City, Michigan, administered by Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region. Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region partners with middle-income individuals and families who could not otherwise buy a home, helping them purchase a newly built or rehabilitated home with an affordable mortgage capped at 30% of gross income. The program explicitly includes down payment assistance, financial-management training, a personal mentor, and 200 sweat-equity hours per adult. Income is considered up to 120% of AMI; applicants need a 640+ credit score and personal debt under 11% of income. Down payment assistance. Affordable mortgage (payment capped at 30% of income). Personal mentor. Financial management training. Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region (donations, grants, sweat equity).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region. Repayment is triggered by Affordable Habitat mortgage with payment capped at 30% of gross income at closing; resale/affordability restrictions per Habitat policy. The assistance is recorded in First (Habitat mortgage) 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 Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: Credit rating of 'Good' (640-739) or better; personal debt under 11% of income. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat GTR Financial Management/Budgeting/Home Maintenance classes; Habitat Michigan financial coaching. Residency requirement: Serves the Grand Traverse Region (including Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties). Habitat sweat-equity homeownership with stated DPA benefit, assistance_type=other.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Income considered up to 120% of area median income (less income does not make a candidate more eligible). Illustrative qualifying examples (Leelanau County): adult couple up to $84,000/yr; two adults + two children up to $105,000/yr. Full dollar table by household size not published. 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 Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Traverse City, Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Interest form then application/selection by volunteer family selection committee. 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 Grand Traverse Region and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.