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Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County · Chester County, Pennsylvania

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Income limit

60% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Chester County, Pennsylvania, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Chester County.

  • Habitat for Humanity of Chester County builds and renovates simple, affordable homes sold to low-income partner families who pay the equivalent of a 0% interest mortgage and complete 200+ sweat-equity hours. Income must be between 40% and 60% of Chester County HUD median income. Applications are accepted during posted windows (e.g., Coatesville).
  • Equivalent of 0% interest mortgage.
  • Affordable Habitat-built or renovated home.
  • Homeownership workshops.
  • Credit-counseling referrals.
  • Funding comes from Habitat for Humanity of Chester County (donations, volunteer labor, ReStore proceeds).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of Chester County.

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

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Credit score around 600 or higher; fairly clean credit report; no bankruptcies in past 7 years; no outstanding liens/judgments; no felonies on background check
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat for Humanity of Chester County homeownership workshops
  • Residency: Must live or work in Chester County for a minimum of 1 year
  • Citizenship or immigration status: US citizenship or permanent resident status required
  • Minimum 200 hours of sweat equity prior to closing. Application windows open periodically (Coatesville window currently closed; check for next opening). A separate West Grove USDA 502 tier is currently PAUSED due to USDA closure and is excluded. GAPS: lien position, mortgage term, 4-person AMI dollar figure for 2025/2026, and household-size income table not extracted.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 60% 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program limits household income to 60% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Income should be between 40% and 60% of published HUD Median Income for Chester County. 2024 median income for a family of four cited as $114,687.
  • 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

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

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of Chester County Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat for Humanity of Chester County homeownership workshops.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Chester County to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Interest Form; applications accepted during posted application windows, 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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