Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1983, builds energy-efficient homes across metro Atlanta and sells them to families with a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage. It does not look at credit scores, runs a critical home repair program, and operates two ReStores. Here is how to qualify, when to apply, and how to help.
Atlanta Habitat is not a giveaway and it is not a typical lender. Qualified families buy an energy-efficient home with a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage, which keeps the monthly payment affordable. One of its most distinctive rules is that credit score is not considered; instead it looks at debt levels, residency, and the ability to pay.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Must meet income guidelines based on Area Median Income; the exact percentages vary by home and are published in a separate income-guidelines document. |
| Residency | U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has lived or worked in one of 12 metro Atlanta counties for the past year. |
| First-time buyer | Must be a first-time homebuyer, with limited exceptions. |
| Credit | Credit score is not considered. Debt-to-income must be under 41% monthly and under 15% annually, with no more than $400 in past-due non-medical debt. |
| Savings | Keep a minimum $500 bank balance for at least six straight months before applying. |
| Sweat equity | 250 hours, completed through construction, classes, and warehouse work. |
The 12 counties are Fulton, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry, and Paulding.
The homebuyer interest form opens on the first Monday of each month, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That recurring window is the entry point, so timing matters.
From there, the path runs through a Family Services consultation, an application appointment, a family selection interview, and an approval decision. Approved applicants then complete their 250 sweat equity hours before closing on the home.
Atlanta Habitat runs two ReStores, one in Atlanta at 271 Chester Ave SE and one in College Park at 5626 Old National Hwy, plus an online store, selling donated home goods and building materials to fund the mission. The ReStores accept donated items and offer free pickup of large items, routed by zip code.
Its Critical Home Repair program, Repair with Kindness, covers up to $20,000 of repairs per house, such as roofing, accessibility work, and plumbing or electrical fixes, structured as a five-year forgivable loan. Homeowners 55 and older approved for repairs can be referred to a partner for added support. The organization also runs financial literacy education through its My Money My Future program.
Volunteers can work on a build site at 16 or older, with a signed waiver for ages 16 and 17, and the organization works with more than 6,000 volunteers a year. Donating money, shopping or donating goods at a ReStore, and joining a build day are the main ways to help.
Atlanta Habitat holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with an overall score of 99 percent. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 58-1535414, and it has built or renovated more than 1,700 homes since 1983.
Energy-efficient homes sold with a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage.
Up to $20,000 of repairs per house as a five-year forgivable loan.
Two stores plus online, selling donated home goods and building materials.
My Money My Future financial literacy for homebuyers.
Added support for approved repair clients 55 and older.
Individual and group build days for the community.
Sources: Atlanta Habitat for Humanity (atlantahabitat.org) homeownership, how-to-apply, programs, and ReStore pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 58-1535414). Exact income percentages are published in a separate guidelines document. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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