Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston, founded in 1987, builds affordable homes, often condominiums, across 26 communities in one of the country's costliest markets. Qualified applicants enter a lottery for each new build. Here is how to qualify, how the lottery works, and how to help.
The affiliate builds and renovates affordable homes, often condominiums given the high-cost market, for low-to-moderate-income families. Homeowners pay no more than 30 percent of gross monthly income toward housing, covering the mortgage, real-estate tax escrow, and any condo fee. Its own pages do not state a specific interest rate.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Up to 80 percent of area median income; for a family of four the maximum was about $137,100 as of May 2026. |
| Ownership | Not having owned a home in the past three years, with some exceptions. |
| Residency | Lived or worked in the service area for at least one year. |
| Credit and debt | A minimum credit score of 640, with exceptions for no credit history, and debt-to-income no more than 43 percent. |
| Assets | No more than $100,000 in financial assets. |
| Sweat equity | At least 200 hours, plus first-time homebuyer education classes. |
The affiliate serves 26 communities across Greater Boston, from Boston and Cambridge to Malden, Newton, and Waltham.
All qualified applicants enter a lottery for the chance to participate, and pre-applications open separately for each new build, so the timing is irregular and windows are typically open for four to eight weeks. The steps run through a pre-application with pay stubs and tax returns, a full application with verification, a clarification meeting, and the lottery.
The application process takes about four to eight months, and building a home then takes 12 to 24 months. Watching for open builds and joining the list is the way in.
The ReStore at 1580 VFW Parkway in West Roxbury sells donated appliances, furniture, and building materials, open Tuesday through Saturday, with drop-off donations and scheduled in-home pickup through a partner; it diverts more than a million pounds of materials from landfills a year.
A home repair program for income-qualified existing homeowners is planned and being built out, tied to a 2024 financing transaction, but it is not yet active, so check the affiliate's site for its status.
Volunteers can join group build days at 16, and you sign up through an inquiry form for groups or the volunteer page for individual and ReStore opportunities, with closed-toe sturdy footwear required.
Since 1987 the affiliate has served more than 1,500 partner families, and over 3,500 volunteers took part in 2024. It holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a perfect 100 percent score. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 04-2994233.
Affordable homes, often condos, awarded by lottery across 26 communities.
A West Roxbury store selling donated goods, with in-home pickup.
A program for existing homeowners, planned and being built out.
First-time homebuyer classes for partner families.
Build days for companies, faith groups, and teams.
A volunteer engagement program.
Sources: Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston (habitatboston.org) homeownership, apply, ReStore, and volunteer pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 04-2994233). The affiliate's pages do not state a mortgage interest rate, and its home repair program is planned, not yet active. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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