Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

What is Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Sumter, South Carolina, administered by Sumter Habitat for Humanity.

• Sumter Habitat for Humanity partners with qualified low-to-moderate-income households (50-80% AMI) in Sumter County to provide quality homes with affordable, below-market-interest mortgages and no down payment. Homebuyers complete 300 Homebuyer-in-Process sweat-equity hours (construction, ReStore, education, community engagement). Home types include new-build homes, refurbished 'Recycle' homes, and Senior Cottages. The application process can take up to 5 months with total time to closing up to 2 years.
• No down payment required.
• Affordable below-market/0% interest mortgage.
• New, refurbished, or senior-cottage homes.
• Homebuyer education.
• Pathway to build wealth.
• Funding comes from Nonprofit; donations, ReStore proceeds, volunteer support.

Do you have to pay it back?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Sumter 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?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Annual income must be 50%-80% of HUD AMI for the area. Income tables published on the affiliate site as image charts (separate Senior Cottage and Traditional Homeownership tables dated May 2026); income must be stable. GAP: dollar figures published as images and not extractable as text.
• 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?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

• New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Sumter, South Carolina.

How do you apply?

Applications for Sumter Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program go through Sumter 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 Homebuyer education delivered within the required 300 Homebuyer-in-Process (HIP) sweat-equity hours.

2. 2

   Contact Sumter Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved with the provider 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.