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Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Knoxville, Tennessee, administered by Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity.

Last verified Source: Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: No home ownership in last 3 years
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No minimum credit score required; alternative credit considered
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity homebuyer education program
  • Residency: Knox County, Tennessee
  • A home in Knox County

It doesn’t cover

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

$103,700
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Knox County’s homes

  • 65.9% single-family
  • 5.5% townhouse
  • 5.1% 2–4 units
  • 19.8% 5+ units
  • 3.6% mobile & other

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

$320,900

Knox County median home value

43.2%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity homebuyer education program.

  2. Contact Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Open application cycle; currently building in Strawberry Plains community, 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 Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Knoxville, Tennessee, administered by Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity. Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity provides 0% interest, no-fee first mortgages on Habitat-built homes to households earning 50-80% AMI in Knox County. A second, silent, forgivable mortgage is layered to make the home affordable. Buyers must complete 300 sweat equity hours and homebuyer education. No minimum credit score required. 0% interest first mortgage. Silent forgivable second mortgage. No minimum credit score. No origination fees. Funding comes from Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity / private fundraising.

Do you have to pay it back?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or failure to maintain owner-occupancy; silent forgivable second also subject to retention terms. 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?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: No home ownership in last 3 years. On credit, the program states: No minimum credit score required; alternative credit considered. A homebuyer education course is required, through Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity homebuyer education program. Residency requirement: Knox County, Tennessee.

What are the income limits?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 50%-80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Knox 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?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage caps the purchase price as follows: Habitat-set pricing; below market value. Eligible property types include Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage serves homebuyers purchasing in Knoxville, Tennessee. The program targets specific areas: Knox County, Tennessee; currently active in Strawberry Plains community.

How do you apply?

Applications for Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Mortgage go through Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Open application cycle; currently building in Strawberry Plains community. 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 Knoxville Area Habitat for Humanity and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.