Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

What is Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program?

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Erie County, Pennsylvania, administered by Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity.

• Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with qualifying families and sells them at no profit with 0% interest mortgages. Partner families must meet income guidelines and DTI ratios, complete a minimum of 300 sweat-equity hours, meet monthly with a family partner and budget coach, attend homeownership preparation classes, and demonstrate housing need. The next orientation session is scheduled for January 2027.
• 0% interest mortgage.
• Home sold at no profit.
• Budget coaching and homeownership classes.
• Hand-up homeownership for families who cannot qualify for traditional financing.
• Funding comes from Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity (donations, volunteer labor, ReStore proceeds).

Do you have to pay it back?

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity.

• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: Must meet Habitat income guidelines based on family size (income too low to qualify for traditional financing but sufficient to repay a Habitat mortgage). Specific household-size income table not published.

• 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 Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

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

Where does it apply?

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Erie County, Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program go through Greater Erie Area 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 Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity homeownership preparation classes; monthly meetings with a budget coach.

2. 2

   Contact Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Orientation sessions held periodically (next session January 2027); email to receive an application package when the next session opens, 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.