Habitat for Humanity Chicago builds homes in three Chicago neighborhoods and sells them to first-time buyers with a fixed zero-interest mortgage. It acts as builder, seller, and lender, and runs two ReStores. Here is how to qualify, when to apply, and how to help.
Habitat Chicago is the builder, the seller, and the lender. It subsidizes the cost of building a home, and the buyer repays only the subsidized cost through a fixed zero-interest mortgage with an annual percentage rate under 1 percent. The total housing payment, covering principal, taxes, and insurance, is kept to no more than 30 percent of gross monthly income.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Between the 40th and 80th percentile of Chicago area median income. |
| First-time buyer | Required; current homeowners are not eligible. |
| Residency | Willing to live in one of the three build neighborhoods: Austin, West Pullman, or Greater Grand Crossing. |
| Credit | A minimum score of 620, though 580 to 619 or no credit history may work with alternative credit documentation. |
| Debt and savings | Two years of employment history, debt-to-income no more than 43 percent, at least $2,500 in savings, and the ability to save another $2,000 before closing. |
| Sweat equity | About 200 to 250 partner hours over 8 to 14 months. |
Building and finishing the program takes roughly 10 to 16 months from acceptance to move-in.
Applications are not open year-round. They open only as space allows, based on homes expected to close within about a 14-month window, and reopenings are announced through the interest-list email.
The steps run through an optional self-assessment, a free information session, preparing the application packet, a consultation with a homebuyer support specialist, and a decision within about 30 days of a complete application.
Habitat Chicago runs two ReStores, on the North Side at 6040 N Pulaski Road and the South Side at 6057 S Western Avenue, selling donated building materials and furniture, open Wednesday through Sunday. They take drop-off donations and offer free pickup for large items.
Beyond building, the affiliate offers homeowner support and a public Homebuyer University for readiness, runs a Neighborhood Grants Initiative for community projects, and engages residents through community action work.
Volunteers can work on a build site at 16, with chaperone rules for minors, and at the ReStore at 14. You sign up for shifts through the online portal or email [email protected]. Donating money, shopping or donating at a ReStore, and joining a build are the main ways to help.
Habitat Chicago holds a three-star rating from Charity Navigator with an 84 percent score and a perfect accountability and finance score. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 46-0494889.
New homes sold with a fixed 0% interest mortgage in three neighborhoods.
Public homebuyer readiness and education.
Two stores, on the North and South Sides, with free pickup.
Grants for community improvement projects.
Ongoing resources for existing Habitat homeowners.
Construction and ReStore shifts across the city.
Sources: Habitat for Humanity Chicago (habitatchicago.org) eligibility, financing, and apply pages, plus the ReStore site; Charity Navigator (EIN 46-0494889). It is a separate organization from Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Habitat for Humanity Chicago and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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