Habitat for Humanity of the Pine Belt Homeownership Program
Down-payment assistance · New construction · Income limit 60% of AMI
single_family
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · Mississippi
Buying a home in Forrest County, MS
1 county-wide program, 1 city with their own, plus 12 statewide and 62 nationwide.Forrest has 1 program that covers the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 12 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 ForrestAnywhere in Forrest County
1 program for every Forrest address1 program that covers every Forrest address
It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.This is run for the whole county, so a home in Hattiesburg, Petal or Glendale can use it. It is for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Forrest, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Forrest city 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 Forrest marketThe Forrest housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Forrest
- 62.7% single-familysingle-family
- 1.5% townhousetownhouse
- 7.3% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 18.3% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 10.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
About condos. None of the 2 county or city programs here list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Forrest’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
47.5%
of Forrest 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.
$79,800
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Forrest County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$53,640
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Forrest (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
57.2%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Mississippi: 70%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 15 of the 76 programs here set their income limit as a share of Forrest County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Forrest County
Free help in ForrestFree help in Forrest
1 HUD-approved counseling agency with an office in the county1 HUD-approved housing counseling agency with an office in Forrest County
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 2 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.
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Forrest County.
4 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Forrest CountyAll 4 cities and places in Forrest County
has a program of its own
Forrest questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Forrest?
The 1 county-wide program cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Hattiesburg’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 Forrest 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 Forrest programs accept condos?
None of the 2 county or city programs here list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Forrest?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 1 agency has an office in Forrest 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–July 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.