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.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: Responsible credit history with only moderate current debt required.
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Harbor Habitat educational workshops
- Residency: Berrien County, MI
- Income must fall 30-80% AMI for Berrien County. Minimum 300 sweat equity hours (at least half on construction site if able). Responsible credit history with moderate debt. Submit Intake Service Packet to begin.
- A home in Berrien County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Berrien 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
80% of Berrien 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.
Where it applies
Berrien County’s homesBerrien County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 76.8% single-familysingle-family
- 2.6% townhousetownhouse
- 6.7% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 9.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 4.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$224,300
Berrien County median home value
69.4%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Berrien County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Harbor Habitat educational workshops.
Contact Harbor Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.
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 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 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: Responsible credit history with only moderate current debt required. A homebuyer education course is required, through Harbor Habitat educational workshops. Residency requirement: Berrien County, MI. Income must fall 30-80% AMI for Berrien County. Minimum 300 sweat equity hours (at least half on construction site if able). Responsible credit history with moderate debt. Submit Intake Service Packet to begin.
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 homebuyers 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. 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.
Also for Berrien County homebuyersOther programs open to Berrien County homebuyers
- Discover Southwest Michigan Down Payment Assistance (Make MI Home)Up to $5,000
- FHLBank Indianapolis Launch Down Payment Assistance (HOP)Up to $20,000
- Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP)Up to $20,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 72 programs for Berrien CountyProgram terms are set by Harbor Habitat for Humanity and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.