Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1986, serves Dallas and Kaufman counties. It sells the homes it builds with zero-percent financing and no down payment, and it runs HUD-certified counseling that aims to make buyers mortgage-ready in a year or less. Here is how to qualify, what is involved, and how to help.
Dallas Habitat runs two paths. You can buy a Habitat-built home with zero-percent financing and no down payment required, or buy on the open market using preferred lenders and down-payment assistance, supported by HUD-certified counseling designed to make you mortgage-ready in a year or less.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Habitat-built homes target lower-income households, around 60% of Area Median Income; the counseling and open-market path serves up to about 120% of AMI. |
| Residency | U.S. citizen or permanent resident. |
| First-time buyer | Has not owned a home in the past three years. |
| Employment | Stable employment for at least one year. |
| Credit | Work toward a credit score of 620 or higher, with no bankruptcy in the past three years. |
| Sweat equity | The average family contributes 200 to 400 partnership hours through construction, ReStore work, or classes. |
Neighborhood work is focused in areas such as Joppa, Mill City, West Dallas, and Pleasant Grove.
Applying starts with an online pre-screen tool, then creating a homebuyer account and completing a full application, followed by a counselor assessment, an action plan, pre-purchase education, and a mortgage-readiness determination. Counseling carries a fee of $125 for a single applicant or $200 for two.
Enrollment is rolling through the online portal rather than fixed windows. You can reach the team at [email protected] or 214-678-2300.
Dallas Habitat operates several ReStores, including locations in West Dallas at 2800 N Hampton Rd and on Walnut Hill Lane, selling donated and discounted home goods. They take drop-off donations and offer free weekday pickup, which you can schedule online or at 214-678-2309.
Its NeighborCare and Repair program provides free minor repairs, accessibility work such as ramps and handrails, and exterior repairs for income-qualified homeowners. The organization also focuses neighborhood revitalization in specific Dallas neighborhoods and runs financial education through its counseling.
Volunteers can work on construction sites at 16 and at the ReStore or community projects at 14, with an adult for those under 16. You register through the volunteer portal, and groups of five or more can email [email protected].
Dallas Habitat reports building or restoring 2,189 homes since 1986 and working with more than 2,700 volunteers in a recent year. It holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 75-2097161.
Habitat-built homes with 0% financing and no down payment.
HUD-certified counseling to reach mortgage-readiness in a year or less.
Free minor and accessibility repairs for income-qualified owners.
Stores selling donated and discounted home goods, with free pickup.
Focused work in Joppa, Mill City, West Dallas, and Pleasant Grove.
Down-payment assistance and lender referrals for buyers up to about 120% AMI.
Sources: Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity (dallasareahabitat.org) become-a-homeowner, NeighborCare, ReStore, and volunteer pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 75-2097161). Income bands differ between the Habitat-built and open-market paths. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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