homeownership
HOMEOWNERSHIP THROUGH HABITAT
Becoming a homeowner is a big step that can provide financial stability and a safe, healthy home for you and your family to live and grow. If purchasing a home the “traditional way” seems out of reach, see if Habitat Tuscaloosa’s Path to Homeownership program is right for you. Our new homes offer a low down payment and an affordable monthly payment.
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP BUILDS STRONG FAMILIES, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Habitat believes in the value of not only affordable housing, but also of affordable homeownership in building strong, resilient communities. Communities with higher homeownership rates have lower crime rates, more community involvement, and higher property values.
Purchasing a home through Habitat gives individuals and families the opportunity to build wealth while providing their families a stable, healthy place to grow and succeed.
THE PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP OVERVIEW
Habitat Tuscaloosa does not rent or give away homes! Habitat Tuscaloosa builds attractive, affordable, energy-efficient homes in partnership with homebuyers, volunteers and donors. Our in-house financing offers our participants a 30-year, 0% interest (APR less than 1%) mortgage with the ability to finance most of the closing costs.
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Habitat homebuyers:
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Complete at least 25 hours of homebuyer and financial education classes
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Make a $1,500 down payment
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Volunteer with us for at least 200-250 hours before purchase
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Choose from one of our available lots in West Tuscaloosa
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Purchase the home for the appraised value
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Agree to maintain the home as their primary residence for 20 years
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Can afford a mortgage payment between $750 - $875/month (payment includes property tax and homeowner’s insurance)​
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
When evaluating applications Habitat Tuscaloosa looks at several criteria.
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Lived or worked in Tuscaloosa County for at least 6 months
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Have a stable, reliable income of at least $2,650 per month (2 bedroom home), $2,950 (3 bedroom home) and verifiable savings of $750
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Have a reasonable amount of other debt (car payment, student loans, credit cards, etc.)
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Are financially stable and paying bills on time
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Been discharged from any prior bankruptcy for at least three (3) years (if applicable)
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Have the ability to pay off any collections or judgements (generally, $2,000 or less within 12 months of approval)
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Work with a HUD-certified Housing Counselor to prepare (see Resources)
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Pay your current bills and debts on time
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Check your credit report
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Pay off any collections or judgements or set up a payment plan
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Save at least $750 (required)​​
PREPARING TO APPLY:
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Locate important documents required to apply
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Social Security cards for all household members​
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Most recent paystubs for all employed household members
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Benefit letters for Social Security, Social Security Disability, SSI, Retirement, etc.
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Most recent two (2) years of Federal Tax returns (if required to file)​​
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RECEIVING AN APPLICATION
​Habitat Tuscaloosa will hold six (6) Information Meetings in February. Attend one (1) of our application meetings to learn about the Habitat Program and receive an application. ​​
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All meetings will be held at the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce building located at 2222 9th Street, Tuscaloosa AL 35401.
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Date | Time | Doors Open | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 60 |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 4:30 PM | 4:00 PM | 60 |
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 4:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 60 |
Thursday, February 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 60 |
Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 9:00 AM | 8:30 AM | 60 |
Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 60 |
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Habitat will not reserve seats; no registration required.
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Only the applicant and co-applicant should attend (no children)
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No documents required to attend
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To request assistance or accommodations during the meeting, call our office by 2/20/2026 ​​
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION:
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Complete ALL sections of the applications
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If you skip sections or sections are incomplete, your application may be denied.
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Read the cover sheet to the application and follow all submission instructions
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Applications should be completed using the link sent to your email.
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You can print and mail your application to our office. Use the address label you received at the informational meeting.
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You may drop off your completed application and documents in a sealed envelope on Thursday, March 12, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applications will not be accepted in the office on any other day. No copies or assistance is available during drop off.
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If you need assistance completing the application, call our office to schedule an appointment.
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Do NOT call the office to check on the status of your application
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Habitat will mail or email you a letter regarding your application within 30 days.
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Due to the high number of applications we are processing, messages left checking the status of your application may not be returned until after 30 days.
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Homeownership application email: apps@habitattuscaloosa.org
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.