Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, administered by Santa Fe 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: No published minimum credit score; a credit report is obtained and ability to pay is assessed during financial review
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity (homebuyer education as part of the partner-family process)
- Residency: Must have lived or worked in Santa Fe County for at least one full year at the time of application
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizenship not required, but at least one applicant must be a lawful permanent resident
- Applicant must hold no more than $20,000 in assets at time of application. Sweat equity of 350-500 hours required (family members signing the mortgage must complete 168-240 of those hours; the remainder may be done by other family/friends). Application window opens periodically (not always open); process can take up to three months plus ~15 months to build. At least one applicant must be a lawful permanent resident. Specific recapture/affordability lien terms not published on the primary source.
- A home in Santa Fe County
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Households above $79,600
- Homes outside Santa Fe 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
$79,600 household income limit, as the program publishes it
The program states this limit itself. Its official site says how household size changes it.
Where it applies
Santa Fe County’s homesSanta Fe County’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 62.7% single-familysingle-family
- 7.1% townhousetownhouse
- 6.2% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 10.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 13.3% 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.
$446,300
Santa Fe County median home value
33.7%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Santa Fe County
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity (homebuyer education as part of the partner-family process).
Contact Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Application window opens periodically; applicants make an inquiry by phone or in person and are contacted when the window opens. Process can take up to three months; home build adds ~15 months., 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 Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program?
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Santa Fe, New Mexico, administered by Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity selects income-qualified partner families in Santa Fe County to buy a home they help build, financed with a typically 30-year 0% interest mortgage and a $1,300 down payment. Income must fall within published minimum and maximum limits by family size, and applicants must hold no more than $20,000 in assets. Selected families complete 350-500 sweat-equity hours. 30-year 0% interest mortgage. Low $1,300 down payment. Payments based on income at closing. Homebuyer education and an assigned advocate. Builds equity and long-term stability. Funding comes from Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity (donations, ReStore proceeds, grants, City of Santa Fe general-fund contract); volunteer-built homes.
Do you have to pay it back?
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. Repayment is triggered by 30-year 0% mortgage repaid in monthly installments based on income at closing; an affordability/recapture lien may apply on resale. Specific recapture terms not published on the primary source. The assistance is recorded in First (mortgage held by Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity) position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
Santa Fe 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: No published minimum credit score; a credit report is obtained and ability to pay is assessed during financial review. A homebuyer education course is required, through Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity (homebuyer education as part of the partner-family process). Residency requirement: Must have lived or worked in Santa Fe County for at least one full year at the time of application. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizenship not required, but at least one applicant must be a lawful permanent resident. Applicant must hold no more than $20,000 in assets at time of application. Sweat equity of 350-500 hours required (family members signing the mortgage must complete 168-240 of those hours; the remainder may be done by other family/friends). Application window opens periodically (not always open); process can take up to three months plus ~15 months to build. At least one applicant must be a lawful permanent resident. Specific recapture/affordability lien terms not published on the primary source.
What are the income limits?
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program limits household income to $79,600. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 6. 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?
Santa Fe 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?
Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
How do you apply?
Applications for Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program go through Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application window opens periodically; applicants make an inquiry by phone or in person and are contacted when the window opens. Process can take up to three months; home build adds ~15 months. 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 Santa Fe County homebuyersOther programs open to Santa Fe County homebuyers
- Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP)Up to $25,000
- FirstDown Plus (MFA)Up to $10,000
- FirstDownDeferred
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 72 programs for Santa Fe CountyProgram terms are set by Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.