Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

What is Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Benton Harbor, Michigan, administered by Harbor Habitat for Humanity.

• Harbor Habitat for Humanity partners with families in Berrien County to build and purchase affordable homes. Qualified buyers (30-80% AMI) make a modest down payment, complete a minimum of 300 sweat equity hours, attend educational workshops, and purchase a newly constructed home with an affordable mortgage starting at 22% of income. Applicants submit an Intake Service Packet to begin.
• Affordable mortgage starting at 22% of income.
• Modest down payment.
• Newly constructed energy-efficient home with appliances.
• Homeownership education.
• Funding comes from Private donations; volunteer labor; mortgage payments recycled.

Do you have to pay it back?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Harbor Habitat for Humanity.

• 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?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income must fall between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income for Berrien County (based on HUD data, updated annually). Monthly mortgage payment starts at 22% of income including taxes and insurance.
• 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?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Monthly mortgage payment starting at 22% of income (incl. taxes & insurance).

• Eligible property types include Single Family.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

How do you apply?

Applications for Harbor Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program go through Harbor Habitat for Humanity, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Harbor Habitat educational workshops.

2. 2

   Contact Harbor Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

3. 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.