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Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH) · Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program?

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Albuquerque, New Mexico, administered by Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH).

  • Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity builds affordable, energy-efficient entry-level homes for income-qualified first-time homebuyers in Bernalillo and South Sandoval counties and sells them with an interest-free (0%) mortgage and a low down payment. Selected families contribute 350 hours of sweat equity and complete homebuyer education. Income must be between 50% and 80% of Bernalillo County AMI.
  • 0% interest mortgage.
  • Low down payment (approx. $2,500 in savings).
  • Newly built, energy-efficient home.
  • Homebuyer education and guidance.
  • Support throughout the homebuying process.
  • Builds equity and long-term financial stability.
  • Funding comes from Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (donations, ReStore proceeds, grants); homes built with volunteer labor.

Do you have to pay it back?

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH).

  • Repayment is triggered by Monthly mortgage payments over the life of the loan; an affordability/resale subordinate lien (silent second representing the subsidy) may be recaptured if the home is sold during the affordability period. Specific recapture terms not published on the primary source.
  • The assistance is recorded in First (affordable mortgage held by GAHH); subsidy may be a subordinate silent lien position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

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

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published minimum credit score, but an acceptable credit history is required; all collections and judgments must be paid in full
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity homebuyer education classes (count toward sweat-equity hours)
  • Residency: Must have lived or worked in Bernalillo and/or South Sandoval County for the past 12 months; must be willing to live in the neighborhood where Habitat is currently building
  • Citizenship or immigration status: All household members must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. Application cycle was PAUSED as of June 2026 (interest list open; GAHH states preparations are underway to reopen soon) - it is a recurring standing program, not discontinued. Requires 350 hours of sweat equity (building your home and others' homes plus homebuyer education). Every household member over 18 must consent to a background and sex-offender check; all applicants and co-applicants must consent to a credit check. Deferred student loans counted at 0.5% of balance per month. Exact dollar income limits and any resale/recapture lien terms were not published on the primary public pages.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income

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

What are the income limits?

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

  • Gross annual household income must be between 50% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bernalillo County; updated annually based on HUD figures and household size. Exact dollar limits are published on GAHH's Income Criteria page (year-dependent).
  • 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?

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program can be used for Single-family detached (newly built Habitat home).

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

How do you apply?

Applications for Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program go through Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity homebuyer education classes (count toward sweat-equity hours).

  2. Contact Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity (GAHH) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Inquiry list; applicants notified by email when the application cycle opens, then request an application packet by mail, 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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