Do you want to buy a simple, decent, affordable home?  

The three areas that are looked at in considering potential participates in the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity program are the applicants need for housing based on the condition of their current residence, the applicant's current income and ability to pay the monthly mortgage on the Habitat house, and the applicant's willingness to partner with Habitat by fully participating in the program.

Need:
You may qualify for a Habitat home if your housing is substandard, overcrowded, or unstable, or if you are “cost burdened.” Substandard housing may include: Structural defects or safety problems, an unsafe neighborhood, inaccessibility to public transportation, inaccessibility of the home for disabled people, overcrowding—more than 2 people in one bedroom or children of opposite sexes having to share a room, unstable living situation due to having to live with extended family or friends, unstable living situation due to terms of lease, or living in subsidized housing. The term “cost-burdened”  means that more than 30% of your monthly income is spent on your rent and there are no affordable alternatives.

Ability to Pay:
You must show proof of income. Your debt should not be so large that taking on a house payment would result in not having enough incomes left for normal expenses. You need to demonstrate the ability to be reliable in paying your rent, utilities and other bills.  Average mortgage payments for a Habitat home is $450 per month.  

The following chart will help you decide if your YEARLY income is within Habitat guidelines:

Willingness to Partner:
You must be willing to participate in the application process, including providing the necessary documentation by the deadlines given and signing agreements for verifications and credit checks. Habitat partners work side by side with other future homeowners, community volunteers, and Habitat staff to build homes. Your work in the construction of your home and the homes of others is called “sweat equity”. As a partner with Habitat, you must complete a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity. Your family can recruit friends and relatives to help with up to 150 hours of this total. You must also attend 10 required homebuyer education classes. You must be honest and open in all of your dealings with Pensacola Habitat, including keeping us informed of any changes in your circumstances that occur during the process. After you buy and move into your home, you will be responsible for making your mortgage payments on time each month. Your payments will help build homes for others. You will be responsible for maintaining your home and keeping it in good repair.

How do I apply?
The first step to applying for a Habitat home is obtaining the application.  You MUST attend an Application Orientation Meeting to get an application. The meetings are held once every month in three different locations.  You must call and sign up in order to attend an orientation meeting.   Call the Habitat office at 850-434-5456 or email

Escambia County - 1st Thursday of every month at 6:45pm. 1060 North Guillemard Street (corner of Guillemard and Gonzales St)  

South Santa Rosa County (Gulf Breeze, Midway, Navarre) - 1st Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm. Gulf Breeze Community Life Center room 2218 (corner of Hwy 98 and Soundside Dr)  

North Santa Rosa County (Milton area) - 2nd Tuesday of every month at 5:30pm.  First Baptist Church of Milton in the Robertson House behind the church building (corner of Hwy 90 and MLK Dr)