• Own your own home.

    Homeownership

Homeownership

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity builds and finances 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes and townhomes. Qualified homeowners pay an affordable monthly mortgage that is equal to or less than 30% of their gross monthly income.

Read our Impact Report which highlights the benefits of transformative effect of affordable housing.

Take the Self-Evaluation

Interested in Habitat homeownership?

Use our self-evaluation tool to evaluate your readiness for the program!

Are you 55+ years old and interested in buying a Habitat home?

Please visit our page about Aging in Place, Habitat’s new affordable homeownership program specifically for aging adults (55+).

Aging in Place

Qualifications for Homeownership

Residency:

  • Must have lived and/or worked in Buncombe or Madison Counties for a minimum of 12 months prior to application.
  • Applicants must be legal U.S. residents.

Need:

  • Living in overcrowded housing.
  • Living in substandard housing.
  • Paying more than 30% of gross income on rent.
  • Living in temporary, subsidized, or public housing.

Willingness to Partner

  • Each applicant who will be listed on the deed must be willing to perform 200 hours of Sweat Equity.
  • Applicants must be willing to complete a Homebuyer Education program.
  • Appropriate accommodations can be made for families with physical limitations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Homeownership Qualifications continued

Ability to Pay

  • Rental History: must have paid rent on-time for 12 months prior to applying.
  • Employment history: When considering income from employment, minimum 2 years of continuous employment history, including at least 12 months with current employer.
  • Debt-to-Income ratio: Monthly debts cannot consume more than 18% of gross monthly income.
  • Delinquent Debt: No more than $1,500 in total balances at the time of application.
  • Medical Collections: less than 3 years old – no more than $2,500. If greater than 3 years old – no more than $7,500.
  • Revolving Debt (ie: credit card debt): No more than $2,500 in total balances at the time of application, excluding student loan or automobile loan debt.
  • Bankruptcy: Must wait two years after being discharged.
  • Income: must be stable and fall below 80% of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Area Median Income. See chart to the right.

Note: You cannot qualify for Habitat homeownership if you own a home at the time of application.

Income Requirements (subject to change)

Minimum and maximum monthly income to qualify for a Habitat home.
House SizeMonthly Minimum Monthly Maximum
1 person$1,983$3,966
2 people$2,266$4,533
3 people$2,550$5,100
4 people$2,833$5,666
5 peolpe$3,060$6,120
6 people$3,286$6,575
7 people$3,513$7,029
8 people$3,740$7,483

*Gross income before taxes

Habitat will determine your house size based on your household size.

How to Get Started

Asheville Area Habitat is currently accepting applications beginning Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Want to learn more about becoming a Habitat Homeowner? In-person information session dates and times will be posted on this page in the coming months!

In the meantime, please use our Self-Evaluation Tool to evaluate your readiness for our program! We also encourage you to watch the online information session.

*There are currently no 4 bedroom homes available at this time. Check back for updates.*

Information Sessions

Habitat’s Information sessions present detailed information about the Homeownership Program and what it takes to qualify. We offer hour-long in-person sessions and virtual sessions via Zoom.

Upcoming dates for in person sessions:

  • Saturday, September 16, 2023 11 AM-12 PM
  • Monday, October 9, 2023 6-7PM
  • Monday, October 30, 2023 6-7PM

*All in person Information sessions take place at Habitat’s admin office, 33 Meadow Rd.

Upcoming dates for virtual sessions:

  • Thursday September 28, 2023 6-7 PM
  • Saturday October 21, 2023 11 AM-12 PM

*You must register to attend a virtual Information Session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

In accepting and rejecting applications, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity must conform to all aspects of the Fair Housing Act and all Fair Housing Laws, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Privacy Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as any local applicable laws as they apply to applications for a mortgage.