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Hi neighbor! If you are looking for more information on how to purchase a home through Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Homebuyer Program, you are in the right place. Every day we partner with hardworking families and individuals throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to build comfortable, high-quality homes with affordable mortgages! If you meet Pensacola Habitat’s Homebuyer Program’s qualifications and application criteria, you’re only a few steps away from saying “goodbye” to rapidly rising rent and “hello” to a new future in home you own.

our homes
requirements
how our program works
FAQs
 

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Pensacola Habitat for Humanity creates, preserves, and promotes homeownership because we believe that everyone, everywhere should have a healthy, affordable place to call home. An affordable, stable home impacts every part of an individual’s life—health, education, economic opportunity, and generational wealth.

Currently, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity offers newly constructed single-family homes, rehabilitated homes, community land trust homes, and brand new market rate homes.

 

More About Our Homes

Is homeownership through pensacola habitat for humanity right for you?

At Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live. Our homeownership program is designed to partner with working individuals and families who are ready to take the next step toward stability and independence by purchasing a home through an affordable mortgage. Unlike traditional homebuying, our program focuses on partnership, education, and community. Future homeowners don’t just buy a house—they become active participants in building their future. Along the way, they volunteer with Pensacola Habitat, build relationships with our staff and volunteers and attend homebuyer education classes to learn essential skills like budgeting, home maintenance, and financial planning to ensure long-term success as a homeowner. Through this process, families not only achieve the dream of owning a home, but also gain the tools and knowledge to keep it affordable and sustainable for years to come. Our program is best suited for individuals and families who have a stable income, a willingness to partner, and a commitment to working alongside Habitat. If you’re paying too much in rent, living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions, or simply ready to invest in your future, homeownership through Pensacola Habitat for Humanity may be the right fit for you!

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity approves future homeowners for our Homebuyer Program through three sets of criteria:

Need for Housing

We partner with families who have low to moderate incomes, and who experience crowding, expensive rent, or unsafe conditions in their current situation.

Willingness to Partner

all homebuyers purchasing through pensacola habitat for humanity's homebuyer program attend homebuyer education courses and invest sweat equity to help build homes.

Ability to Pay

future homeowners will make affordable mortgage payments and will demonstrate their readiness to meet this commitment.

 

More About Requirements & Qualifications

How Our Program Works

Our homeowners are just that: homeowners. We help our homeowners break down the barriers to homeownership and familiarize them with the home buying process. Just like all homeowners, they put in their own money toward a down payment and closing costs. They pay a mortgage and maintain all the responsibilities that come with their first home, including paying their insurance and taxes. 

Furthermore, they attend homeowner readiness courses that empower and help them learn the skills necessary for successful homeownership such as home maintenance, budgeting, and repair.
Our homeowners go further by investing their "sweat equity" into physically building their own homes—and contributing toward the construction of others'.

We believe better-prepared homeowners create better citizens and more engaged neighbors. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity's programs are how we're building up communities, one homeowner at a time.

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s Homebuyer Program begins with an online application. This includes creating an account through our Programs Portal, submitting required documentation, and completing the application.

After completing the application, the Pensacola Habitat Programs Team will process the application, which is approved or denied based on specific requirements and qualifications for the program.

Ready to Apply?

FAQs Our Program + Homes

 

Some people may believe that Pensacola Habitat for Humanity gives homes away for free. In truth, purchasing a home from Pensacola Habitat means committing to an affordable mortgage with reasonable monthly mortgage payments. Additionally, homeowners contribute "sweat equity" hours by participating in the construction of their own home or others’ in the program, ensuring they are actively involved throughout the process. This approach emphasizes earning a home through dedication and effort, fostering a deep sense of understanding and pride in homeownership.

Homes built by Pensacola Habitat for Humanity have evolved significantly over the past two decades, incorporating advanced building practices and thoughtful designs to better serve the needs of homeowners and their communities. Each home meets or surpasses local building codes and features energy-efficient materials, dependable appliances, and thoughtful design. We work closely with future homeowners to ensure the home meets the unique needs of their family, including physical accessibility and functionality. These homes are thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly into their neighborhoods while keeping long-term costs affordable and sustainable. You can trust that your home built by Pensacola Habitat is not only built for today but crafted to stand the test of time.

Yes, at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity homebuyers have the opportunity to select the lots and home layouts that best suit their needs and desires, based on qualifications. After submitting an initial application, our Programs Team will present the options the buyer qualifies for, with the ultimate decision left to the buyer. These options may include a newly built home in a preferred neighborhood, a rehabilitated home from our inventory, or a community land trust home or lot, depending on availability within Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity assists individuals and families across a variety of income levels, especially in a time when homeownership feels unattainable for many. By offering affordable mortgages, practical guidance, and an opportunity for meaningful investment in their own homes, Pensacola Habitat helps many families and individuals across a wide-range of financial situations achieve stable, long-term homeownership.

Before beginning, gather basic personal information, proof of income (such as pay stubs or tax returns), and documentation that verifies your residency and employment history. Having these ready will make the application process smoother and quicker.

The application is available online through your Pensacola Habitat Application Portal account. If you don’t have one yet, you’ll need to create it first. Once logged in, you’ll find clear instructions to begin your application.

We’ve designed the application to be as user-friendly as possible. If you run into any issues, you can call or email our Programs Team for guidance. You can also set up an appointment to come into the office for a staff member to assist you. They’re here to help you every step of the way.

This varies from person to person, but most applicants can finish it within an hour or two if they have all their documents ready. If you need to pause and come back later, you can save your progress and return at your convenience.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we recommend discussing it with us before applying. Give one of the application processors a call at 850-434-5456. They’ll help clarify the requirements, discuss your personal situation, and guide you on the next best steps.

Once you click “submit,” our Programs Team begins reviewing your application. This can take up to four weeks due to the high volume of applications we receive. We’ll contact you once the review is complete—whether you’re approved or need additional support to become qualified.

Absolutely. If your application isn’t approved, we’ll offer guidance on what steps to take next. You can work with a HUD-certified housing counselor who will help you understand what needs improvement, and when you’re ready, you can reapply.

There’s no fee to submit your application to Pensacola Habitat’s Homebuyer Program. We want to make sure the process is accessible to everyone exploring homeownership.

Not before approval. However, if you’re approved and join our Homebuyer Program, you’ll attend homeownership-readiness workshops. These help you learn about budgeting, home maintenance, and other valuable skills as you prepare for homeownership.

“Sweat equity” isn’t required at the application stage. But once approved, you’ll contribute volunteer hours—like helping to build your own home or assisting with another PHFH projects. This hands-on involvement helps you understand the process and fosters a sense of pride and investment in your future home.

Feel free to contact us by phone or email. We’re committed to making the application process as clear and supportive as possible, and we’re happy to answer any additional questions.

 

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