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Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Allentown; Bethlehem; Easton, Pennsylvania, administered by Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Must not currently own or have owned a home within the last 3 years
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Credit scores above 600 required
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat homeownership and budgeting classes (sweat equity partnership)
  • Residency: Must be employed in or a resident of the Lehigh Valley for at least one year
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Standard Habitat affiliate requirements apply
  • 250 sweat-equity hours; must demonstrate housing need; monthly debt under 43% of income; housing payment under 30% of income.
  • A home in Lehigh; Northampton County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Lehigh; Northampton 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

80% of Lehigh; Northampton County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat homeownership and budgeting classes (sweat equity partnership).

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Allentown; Bethlehem; Easton, Pennsylvania, administered by Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley provides affordable homeownership in Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton through 0% interest mortgages with monthly payments capped at 30% of gross income. Eligible families (35-80% AMI) must contribute at least 250 sweat-equity hours and complete homeownership and budgeting classes, and must have lived or worked in the Lehigh Valley for at least one year. 0% interest mortgage. Monthly payment capped at 30% of income. 20-30 year term. Homeownership and budgeting education. Funding comes from Habitat affiliate; private donations; sweat-equity model.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley. Repayment is triggered by Sale or transfer of property; 20-30 year mortgage terms. The assistance is recorded in 1 position. 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 the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Must not currently own or have owned a home within the last 3 years. On credit, the program states: Credit scores above 600 required. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat homeownership and budgeting classes (sweat equity partnership). Residency requirement: Must be employed in or a resident of the Lehigh Valley for at least one year. Citizenship or immigration status: Standard Habitat affiliate requirements apply. 250 sweat-equity hours; must demonstrate housing need; monthly debt under 43% of income; housing payment under 30% of income.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Between 35% and 80% AMI (Lehigh Valley, 2025). Min/Max: 1p $24,550/$56,150; 2p $28,050/$64,150; 3p $31,550/$72,150; 4p $35,050/$80,150; 5p $37,900/$86,600; 6p $40,700/$93,000; 7p $43,500/$99,400; 8p $46,300/$105,800. 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 the Lehigh Valley 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 the Lehigh Valley Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Allentown; Bethlehem; Easton, Pennsylvania. The program targets specific areas: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton (Lehigh and Northampton Counties).

How do you apply?

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

Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.

All 68 programs for Lehigh; Northampton County

Program terms are set by Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.