Eligibility Criteria

Future homeowners partner with Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County by demonstrating that they can sustain an affordable mortgage and manage the costs of homeownership. The guidelines below help ensure families are set up for long-term stability and success.

Income Guidelines

Income limits, adjusted for household size, are shared with each open application period. These limits may change based on available funding. Meeting income guidelines is one step in the overall review and does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Income history requirements:

• Two years of steady income: Habitat requires consistent income within the United States for at least the past two years.

• Six months on the current job: At least six months of employment with your current employer is required. Other income sources, such as child support, must have been received consistently for at least six months to be counted.

• Self-employment or 1099 income: At least two full year of tax filings showing self-employment income is required. Because some funding sources have additional restrictions, self-employment income may or may not meet minimum income requirements during specific application periods.

Credit Guidelines

Habitat looks at credit history to understand readiness for a mortgage and long-term homeownership.

Credit score:

• A minimum FICO score of 620 is required.

• Those without a score can demonstrate creditworthiness using alternative documentation listed below.

You may access your free credit report at annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228.

Credit tradelines:

• Families must show a positive 12-month payment history on at least three accounts, such as rent, utilities, auto loans, credit cards or other recurring bills.

• If little or no rent is paid, Habitat may request documentation that shows readiness for a future mortgage through savings or other strong financial management.

Collections and judgments:

• Total balances for collections, charge-offs or old debt must be below $2,000 at the time of application.

• These debts must be able to be resolved before closing, typically within 6 to 9 months.

• Medical debt will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with state guidelines and Habitat’s funding requirements.

Bankruptcy:

• A bankruptcy must have been discharged or dismissed for at least two years at the time of application.

Debt ratio:

• Monthly debt payments, including estimated mortgage and required amounts for deferred student loans, must be 41% or less of total monthly income.

Budget review:

• Habitat reviews monthly net income to ensure the future homeowner will be financially prepared for upcoming home expenses. Our goal is always to support financial stability and help each family step into homeownership with confidence.

Savings Requirements

Future homeowners commit to saving approximately $2,500 for closing costs within 9-12 months of applying.

Habitat partners with Pinnacle Financial Partners to offer an optional matched savings opportunity. Families who meet the program guidelines may receive up to $1,000 toward their closing costs.

Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County partners with families who need a safe, affordable place to call home and are unable to secure one through the traditional housing market. Housing need is based on income guidelines shared before each application round and on a family’s ability to access stable, affordable housing in our community.

Priority may be given to future homeowners who meet the eligibility requirements of specific grants or funding sources connected to available homes. Households that include a family member with special needs that could benefit from Habitat’s home design or accessibility features may also receive priority consideration.

Future homeowners generally should not have owned a home within the past three years or experienced a foreclosure in the past four years. Exceptions may be considered for households affected by federally declared disasters.

Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County partners with individuals and families who live or work in the surrounding region. Those who have lived or worked within Sumner County or a neighboring county for at least six months may be eligible to purchase a home built by Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County means being an active part of the journey toward homeownership. Future homeowners take part in learning, volunteering and building alongside our community as they prepare for long-term stability.

Families in the program commit to:

• Attending homeownership and financial education classes held over the course of approximately nine months, with each class lasting three to four hours. These sessions take place on scheduled Thursday evenings and occasional Saturdays and are only offered in-person.

• Volunteering on the build site for approximately ten days, helping construct their own home and the homes of other future homeowners.

• Completing at least fifteen volunteer hours in the Habitat ReStores.

This partnership work is known as sweat equity, and it is a meaningful part of building confidence, skills and community connections. Reasonable accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities.

Future homeowners must also be willing to accept the available home locations and designs for the current application period. Details about home types, neighborhoods and construction timelines are shared with each application round.