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Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program

Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Horry County.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity of Horry County

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 and DTI considered. No more than $2,000 in bad/collection debts.
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Lived in Horry County for last 12 months
  • Citizenship or immigration status: US citizen, legal resident, or right to work
  • Sweat-equity model: each adult completes 180-300 hours. ~$2,000 down covers part of closing costs. No more than $2,000 in bad/collection debts. Must be willing to participate in media coverage. Habitat assistance_type 'other'; the assistance is the below-market 0% first mortgage on a home sold at no profit.
  • A home in Horry County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Horry 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 Horry 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.

$86,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Horry County’s homes

  • 53.4% single-family
  • 4.3% townhouse
  • 4.1% 2–4 units
  • 25.1% 5+ units
  • 13% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$287,700

Horry County median home value

16%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Horry County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Horry County 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 Horry County Homebuyer Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. Habitat for Humanity of Horry County builds homes with volunteer labor and sells them at no profit to income-qualified buyers using an affordable, 0% interest mortgage. Applicants must have lived in Horry County for the past 12 months, earn 35%-80% of AMI, demonstrate need and ability to pay, and complete sweat-equity hours. Homes require a small down payment of about $2,000 toward closing costs. A sweat-equity / 0%-mortgage model, not a cash down payment grant. 0% interest mortgage. No-profit sale price. Low ~$2,000 down. Homebuyer education. Newly built home. Funding comes from Donations, sponsorships, grants, homeowner mortgage payments, ReStore proceeds.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of Horry County. The assistance is recorded in First 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 Horry County Homebuyer 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 and DTI considered. No more than $2,000 in bad/collection debts. A homebuyer education course is required. Residency requirement: Lived in Horry County for last 12 months. Citizenship or immigration status: US citizen, legal resident, or right to work. Sweat-equity model: each adult completes 180-300 hours. ~$2,000 down covers part of closing costs. No more than $2,000 in bad/collection debts. Must be willing to participate in media coverage. Habitat assistance_type 'other'; the assistance is the below-market 0% first mortgage on a home sold at no profit.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income between 35% and 80% of AMI for Horry County. 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 Horry County Homebuyer Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of Horry County Homebuyer Program go through Habitat for Humanity of Horry County, 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.

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