Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes for families across four Alabama counties from its base in Fairfield, just outside Birmingham. It runs a roof-hardening grant program and a ReStore. Here is how to qualify, what is involved, and how to help.
Qualified families buy a Habitat home with an affordable mortgage, selected on need, willingness to partner, and ability to repay. The organization describes an affordable payment plan rather than publishing a specific interest rate, so the rate is best confirmed during the application.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Household income of 40 to 80 percent of the Jefferson County median income. |
| Residency | Lived in Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, or St. Clair county for at least one year before applying. |
| Credit and debt | No unpaid collections, judgments, or liens; debt-to-income under 43 percent; any bankruptcy discharged with three years of re-established credit. |
| Down payment | A minimum $2,000 down payment, paid as $200 within 30 days of approval, then $200 a month for 11 months. |
| Sweat equity | A minimum of 250 sweat equity hours, plus at least 10 hours of homeowner education. |
After an online application, qualifying applicants go to a volunteer Family Selection Committee, then a home visit and interview, and finally sign a partnership agreement.
Applying starts with the online homeowner application on the affiliate's site. Applicants who meet the initial requirements are forwarded to the Family Selection Committee for review and a recommendation.
From there the path runs through home visits and interviews, a signed partnership agreement, and completing the 250 sweat equity hours, the 10 hours of education, and the $2,000 down payment. You can reach the office at 205-780-1234.
The Habitat ReStore is at 7952 Crestwood Boulevard in Irondale, a roughly 30,000 square foot store selling new and gently used furniture, appliances, cabinets, and building materials, open Monday through Saturday. It takes drop-off donations during store hours and offers free scheduled pickup for larger items.
Through the Strengthen Alabama Homes program, the affiliate runs a FORTIFIED roof grant for income-qualified owner-occupants, helping harden homes against storms. It also offers homebuyer education workshops as part of the path to ownership.
Volunteers can start at 14, with parental consent and limits on tools for minors, and you register and sign up through the online volunteer calendar. Donating money, shopping or donating at the ReStore, and joining a build are the main ways to help.
Greater Birmingham Habitat holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 92 percent score, a perfect accountability and finance score, and the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 63-0962910.
Affordable homes for families across four Alabama counties.
Strengthen Alabama Homes grants to harden roofs for income-qualified owners.
An Irondale store selling donated furniture and building materials.
Required workshops on the path to ownership.
An apply-to-rent option alongside homeownership.
Individual and group build days, plus ReStore shifts.
Sources: Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity (habitatbirmingham.org) apply, ReStore, Strengthen Alabama Homes, and volunteer pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 63-0962910). The mortgage interest rate is not published. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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