Homeownership
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity is a homeownership program serving low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in Easley, Pickens, Liberty, Central, and Clemson.
Our newly constructed homes are built with volunteer labor and partner involvement, known as “Sweat Equity.” Habitat homes feature a modest monthly mortgage payment made possible through a zero-interest mortgage.
How to Qualify
Anyone seeking housing through Pickens County Habitat for Humanity must meet certain eligibility requirements to move forward in the process.
Need
There must be a demonstrated need in order to qualify for a Habitat home. Need is determined by an applicant’s current income and current living conditions.
Your annual household income must be between 45% and 80% of the area median income for Pickens County to meet the financial need. View the 2024 Income Guidelines below.
- Your need based on current living conditions can be described as any of the following:
- Overcrowded - opposite gender children sharing rooms or adults sharing rooms with children.
- Temporary – living in borrowed space, government subsidized housing, or on a month-to-month lease.
- Too expensive – monthly housing cost is greater than 30% of monthly household income.
- Unhealthy – issues with mold, pests, poor air quality, inadequate plumbing, inadequate insulation, lack of climate control, etc.
- Unsafe – structural issues, security issues, or concerns with high crime rates in your area.
- Inaccessible – This may be the case if a member of your household is in a wheelchair or has other mobility issues and your current housing does not have ramps, handrails, or other necessary accessibility/mobility features.
Ability to Pay
Through documents provided during the application process, applicants must prove their ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage.
Applicants must have:
- A steady, reliable source of income.
- The ability to pay a monthly house payment.
- The ability to pay projected monthly utilities.
- Not filed for bankruptcy within 2 years.
- Not have outstanding collections, liens or judgments that cannot reasonably be paid by the completion of the home.
- The ability to make a $2,000 payment, to be applied to closing costs, prior to the completion of construction and your Sweat Equity hours.
Willingness to Partner
Applicants must show a willingness to fully participate in the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program from start to finish.
Applicants must be willing to:
- Complete a minimum of 200 hours (per household) of service to Habitat. This is called "Sweat Equity" and includes helping to construct your own home and other Habitat homes.
- Complete financial education classes on budgeting and first-time home buying, included in Sweat Equity hours.
- Be willing to share your story with the community.
Residency
All applicants must either live or work in Pickens County for at least the past six months and be a legal resident of the United States.
Additional Concerns
Owning a Habitat home creates a long-term financial partnership with PCHFH. Therefore, Pickens County Habitat for Humanity will review the credit history and criminal background of all applicants during the selection process to look out for any foreclosures or violations of the law.
Ready to Apply?
If you think you meet the criteria above, click here and apply today!
“Habitat made homeownership affordable for me and allowed me to give my twins a yard to play in. Habitat gave me something that I can pass down to them one day. Our home truly changed our lives. I am eternally grateful and recommend Habitat for Humanity to any and everyone!"
– Austin Family, Homeowners Since 2013
Pickens County Habitat for Humanity is an Equal Opportunity Housing Agency
