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Home Buyer | Nevada County Habitat for Humanity

Home Buyer | Nevada County Habitat for Humanity

Phone number
(530) 274-1951
Category
Home
Auto tags
Eligibility
Nevada County residents who meet income criteria and demonstrate need for affordable housing; selection based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner (500 hours sweat equity); no discrimination based on race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or income source
Auto Summary
Nevada County Habitat for Humanity's Home Buyer program helps lower-income families buy a home they help build. It's not a giveaway and not a regular mortgage: you put in 500 hours of 'sweat equity' (volunteer building), then purchase with affordable terms set by Habitat, plus ongoing financial counseling. You must show housing need, ability to pay (income at least the minimum and no more than ~60% of Nevada County median), and live or work in Nevada County. Income from Social Security, SSI, or public assistance counts — don't assume you earn too little. Applications open periodically, not year-round, so get on the contact list now: (530) 274-1951 or nchabitat.org/home-buyer. Verified 2026-05-30.
Value
Affordable homeownership with below-market mortgage terms, 500 hours sweat equity requirement, ongoing homeowner support and financial counseling
Espanol
No Spanish resources currently listed on website; contact office directly for language assistance
URL
https://nchabitat.org/home-buyer/
Last verified 2026-05-17 — Program is active. Application meetings happen periodically, not year-round. Get on the contact list now so you hear about the next one.

What this is

Nevada County Habitat for Humanity (NCHFH) helps lower-income families buy a home they help build. It is not a giveaway and not a typical mortgage. You put in 500 hours of volunteer work ("sweat equity") and then buy the home with affordable terms set by Habitat. After move-in, Habitat stays involved with financial counseling and homeowner support. [Source: nchabitat.org/home-buyer/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Who qualifies

You must meet all three of these:
  • Need for housing. Your current home is too expensive, too crowded, or in poor condition, and you cannot get a regular mortgage through a bank.
  • Ability to pay. Your household income must be at least the minimum and no more than 60% of the Nevada County median. For reference, the 2025 area median income for a family of four in Nevada County was about $124,600, which puts the 60% line near $74,760 for a family of four. The exact chart by household size is on Habitat's website and updates each year. [Source: nchabitat.org/home-buyer/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]
  • Live or work in Nevada County. Required to apply for a Nevada County home.
Habitat does not discriminate by race, sex, color, age, disability, religion, marital status, or whether your income comes from public assistance (Social Security, SSI, CalWORKs, etc. all count).

What you get and what you give

You get:
  • An affordable home purchase with terms set by Habitat (not a market-rate mortgage).
  • Ongoing financial counseling and household maintenance education after you move in.
  • A homeowner support committee that stays in touch.
You give:
  • 500 hours of sweat equity before you can purchase. Up to 100 hours (two-adult household) or 200 hours (single adult) can come from friends and family helping on your behalf.
  • Three years of tax returns with W-2s, recent bank statements, and a financial interview during the application process.
  • Once you own the home, full responsibility for upkeep and repairs.
[Source: nchabitat.org/home-buyer/ (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

The application window is not always open. Habitat runs informational meetings when they are ready to take new applications. The steps:
  1. Get on the contact list now. Call (530) 274-1951 or fill out the Home Buyer Information Form on nchabitat.org/home-buyer/. They'll mail you the date and location of the next orientation meeting.
  1. Attend the public informational meeting when invited. This is where they explain the program in detail and hand out applications.
  1. Submit your application packet. Expect to provide three years of tax returns with W-2s and recent bank statements.
  1. Interview with the Homeowner Selection Committee about your finances and housing situation.
  1. Selection. The committee chooses partner families based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

Common pitfalls

  • Waiting for an application to appear online. It won't. You have to be on the contact list and attend a meeting.
  • Thinking your income is "too low." There's a minimum income, but it isn't huge. Income from Social Security, SSI, disability, or public assistance counts.
  • Underestimating the 500 hours. That's roughly 12-13 full weeks of volunteer work for one person. Plan how you'll fit it around your job and family before you apply.
  • Skipping the brochure. The PDF brochure (direct link) spells out the selection criteria in plain language.

Where to get help

  • Spanish/other language assistance — not listed on the website. Call the office directly to ask about language support.

If you don't qualify here

  • Habitat for Humanity Greater Sacramento (habitatgreatersac.org) — serves Sacramento and surrounding counties if you live or work there instead.
  • CalHFA first-time buyer programs — California Housing Finance Agency offers down payment assistance for first-time buyers with a regular mortgage. See calhfa.ca.gov.

Sources