Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville began in 1985 and builds energy-efficient homes across five Tennessee counties, sold to families with a zero-interest mortgage. It has earned 14 straight ENERGY STAR awards and runs three ReStores. Here is how to qualify, when to apply, and how to help.
Qualified families buy a home with a zero-percent-APR mortgage, which keeps the monthly payment affordable. The homes are energy efficient, and the affiliate has won 14 consecutive ENERGY STAR awards.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Within published minimum and maximum guidelines that are adjusted for household size and posted with each open application period. |
| Income history | Two years of steady income and at least six months on the current job. |
| Ownership | No home owned in the last three years and no foreclosure in the last four years. |
| Residency | Lived or worked in the service or neighboring counties for the past six months. |
| Credit and debt | A minimum FICO score of 600, collections under $2,000, debt-to-income no more than 41 percent, and about $3,000 saved for closing costs. |
| Sweat equity | 10 days of building plus 15 hours in the ReStores, along with required homeownership classes. |
The five counties are Davidson, Wilson, Dickson, Cheatham, and Robertson.
Applications open online periodically, with windows that vary by county, so the best move is to sign up for email notifications and apply during your county's window.
The process includes a background check, credit review, and income verification before approval. Recent windows have run for a couple of weeks at a time in specific counties.
Habitat Nashville runs three ReStores, in Nashville, Dickson, and Lebanon, open Tuesday through Saturday and selling donated furniture and building materials. They take drop-off donations, offer free pickup for large ground-floor items, and provide free deconstruction across the five-county area.
Its Homeowner Academy pairs a group financial-education curriculum with one-on-one budget coaching over 12 weeks. The affiliate also develops whole neighborhoods, including a 26-home Community Collaboration in North Nashville alongside a new park.
Volunteer build days run several days a week in Nashville and on weekends in the counties, with no experience needed and tools provided. Donating money, shopping or donating at a ReStore, and joining a build are the main ways to help.
Since 1985 the affiliate has sold 1,087 homes and welcomed about 1,400 homeowner families. It holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 97 percent score and says 88 cents of every dollar supports the mission. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 58-1636286.
Energy-efficient homes sold with a 0% APR mortgage.
Financial education plus 12 weeks of budget coaching.
Three stores in Nashville, Dickson, and Lebanon, with free deconstruction.
Whole-neighborhood projects such as a 26-home North Nashville build.
660-plus ENERGY STAR homes and 14 straight ENERGY STAR awards.
Build days across the five-county region.
Sources: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville (habitatnashville.org) become-a-homeowner, qualification, apply, and ReStore pages; Charity Navigator (EIN 58-1636286). Income limits are posted with each application window rather than as a fixed percentage. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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