Homeowner Selection

We believe that everyone deserves a safe place to live and an affordable mortgage helps achieve that dream of homeownership. To qualify for Habitat home, applicants must need affordable housing, willing to partner with Habitat and able to pay an affordable mortgage.

Requirements to Apply

You must live and work in Fannin or Gilmer County (one year or more), be able to pay an affordable mortgage, pass a background check and attend a New Homeowner Orientation meeting before you are eligible to apply. The selection process selects one family at a time, so not every applicant will be accepted into the program.

Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy in line with the Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Race, sex, color, national origin, religion, familial status, age, marital status, disability and income from public assistance are not a factor in choosing homeowners.

Eligible homebuyers must

Be a US Citizen or permanent legal resident
Be a first-time homebuyer
Live or work in Fannin or Gilmer County for at least one year

Low to moderate Income: For US applicants, household income must be between 30% and 80% of the area median income, which is defined annually by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

2025 Income

Number of People in Household = Maximum Income

50% Income	1 Person = $30,500	2 People = $34,600	3 People = $38,950	4 People = $43,300	5 People = $46,700	6 People = $52,200
80% Income	1 Person = $48,500	2 People = $55,400	3 People = $62,350	4 People = $62,250	5 People = $74,800	6 People = $80,350

In Need of Safe, Affordable Housing

Applicants may be dealing with substandard housing that is poorly built, damaged or inadequate; rent or monthly payment that is greater than 30% of their gross monthly income; unhealthy living conditions such as homes with mold and asthma triggers, or a home that is inaccessible for disability.

Willing to partner with Habitat Selected homeowners will partner with Habitat throughout the process. The partnership includes completing homeowner education courses, completing “sweat equity”, and attending Habitat events.

As a single parent, I wasn’t able to get a mortgage and the home I was living in wasn’t safe. A Habitat home was a lifesaver for my family. My boys finally had their own space and own rooms. A Habitat home isn’t given to you, and it’s a lot of work, the hours on construction and classes to take and it was worth it. I’m very thankful for all the help and my home. Habitat Homeowner since 2016 – L.S.

What is Sweat Equity?

Habitat homeowners complete between 200- 300 hours of “sweat equity”. A single head of household will be required to complete 200 hours, and a dual head of household will have 300 hours of sweat equity. These hours include at least 100 hours of hands-on time during the construction of their home. Other sweat equity hours can include volunteering at the ReStore, attending financial education courses, and writing thank you notes to other volunteers.

Able and Willing to Pay an Affordable Mortgage

Selected homeowners will work with Habitat and a lender to determine affordability and eligibility.

Habitat’s Promise to Selected Homeowner

Provide mentor Habitat will provide a family mentor to help guide you through the build and mortgage process
Introductions to partners – You will be introduced to board members, volunteers, mortgage lender and the construction crew that is working alongside you to build your home and help set you up for future long-term success.
Homeowner Education – Habitat will provide you with free online and in person access to courses including Financial Literacy and Home Maintenance, First Time Homebuyer Real Estate Success, and many others.

Our Process

The Homeowner Selection Committee offers a New Homeowner Orientation Meeting for anyone interested in learning more about Habitat Homeownership. Those that attend one of the offered Orientations are invited to apply. The Committee reviews all applications, vetting them according to need, ability to pay and willingness to partner.

If the applicant meets the requirements, the committee will schedule an in-home meeting at their current residence to review the application and complete a home visit. The selection committee then performs a final review and makes their recommendation to the Board of Directors for final approval.

The process from Orientation meeting to final selection typically takes two months.

Open Application Cycle

Attend one of our Homeowner Orientation Meetings:

It is recommended that every adult family member (over 18) in the household attend one of the following Orientations. Applications will be made available at the Orientation meetings.

Ellijay – CORE
142 River Terrace, Ellijay, GA
Thursday, January 15, 2026 5:30 pm – 7pm
Saturday, January 17, 2026 9:30am – 11am

Blue Ridge – South State Bank
59 Orvin Lance Dr, Blue Ridge GA
Thursday, January 22, 2026 5:30 pm – 7pm
Saturday, January 31, 2026 9:30am – 11am