Contact Us!
For more information on the application process, contact the Homeowner Services team.
Explore Homeownership Opportunities
Buying a home in Orange County can feel out of reach, even for people with steady jobs, strong financial habits, and deep roots in the area. Our homeownership program creates an affordable path to owning a high-quality home for people who live or work in Orange County.
Our next available homes are located in Weavers Grove, a vibrant community in Chapel Hill designed for connection, stability, and long-term opportunity. Weavers Grove brings together Habitat homeowners and market-rate homeowners in one thoughtfully planned neighborhood featuring beautiful homes, shared green spaces, and community-centered amenities. Habitat homes are built to the same high standards as market-rate homes and blend seamlessly with the surrounding neighborhood.
If you live or work in Orange County and dream of owning a home here, consider exploring our Mortgage-Ready Program. The next round of applications will open on June 1, 2026.
Our Programs
Mortgage-Ready Program
Our Mortgage-Ready Program is designed for those ready to buy their first home. Applications open on a rolling basis when homes are about 9 months from being move-in ready. You can expect to spend 3 to 6 months completing our program requirements and another 3 months in the loan approval and closing process.
We offer tiered funding packages in partnership with our lending partners for this program. Each package has different income requirements, interest rates, and closing costs based on credit score and availability. This allows us to serve a range of income levels. Regardless of funding package, monthly payments are no more than 30% of the applicant(s)’ gross monthly income for the first year and will include principal, interest, taxes, HOA dues, and insurance.
Have your own loan approval? We may be able to work with you on purchasing a Habitat home through your own lender. Contact applications@orangehabitat.org if you are interested.
Coming Soon: Financial Coaching Program
Looking to strengthen your finances and prepare for homeownership? Our Financial Coaching Program will offer one-on-one support to help you improve your credit, reduce debt, and build long-term financial stability to prepare for homeownership. Applications will open once per year, and the program will take 9 to 12 months to complete.
To qualify, you’ll need to meet income and credit requirements and show steady employment.
Application timeline to be determined. Check back for updates!
Mortgage-Ready Process
Step 1
Take a look at our upcoming homes to decide whether you want to apply during the current cycle or wait for availability in a future neighborhood.
Step 2
Review our Eligibility Requirements. You can also check to see if you may be eligible to apply for our Mortgage-Ready Program using our Eligibility Check Tool.
Step 3
Begin preparing your Application Documents.
Step 4
Submit your Screening Form when applications open – currently set for June 1, 2026.
Step 5
If your Screening Form indicates that you may meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be invited by email to complete our Mortgage-Ready Program Application.
Step 6
If you’re selected for the program, you’ll receive a Pre-Approval Letter. Then, you’ll be able to select your future home and begin completing our program requirements.
Step 7
When you’ve completed the program requirements and your home is ready, you’ll apply for the home loan, sign the closing papers, and move in!
Upcoming Homes
The next homes that will become available through our Mortgage-Ready Program are in Weavers Grove, our neighborhood in northern Chapel Hill. Located near East Chapel Hill High School, Weavers Grove is a mixed-income community that will feature 102 Habitat townhomes and duplexes and over 100 market-rate houses and condominiums. Amenities include a playground, dog park, and walking trail for residents.
Applications will open on June 1, 2026, for:
- One 2-bedroom duplex
- Two 3-bedroom duplexes
- Two 3-bedroom townhomes
- Two 4-bedroom townhomes
Interested in a different location? See where we’re building next.
Eligibility
Our eligibility requirements are designed to set our homeowners up for success and ensure we can continue to build affordable homes long into the future. For a complete list of the requirements, see our selection guidelines.
| Mortgage-Ready Program | |
| Live/Work in Orange County | Live or work in Orange County, NC for at least the past 12 months |
| Residency | Verifiable legal residency in US |
| Income | Maintain annual gross income within income requirements |
| Employment | Minimum 24 month employment history |
| Credit Score | 620+ (preferred) Options available for those with invisible/no credit |
| Monthly Debt to Income Ratio | 13% |
| Collections (non-medical) | Less than $1,000 |
| Savings | $1,500 |
| Down Payment | None required |
| Judgements | All judgements paid off |
| Bankruptcy | Minimum of 24 months since discharge from bankruptcy -24 months of re-established credit -No late payments or defaults |
| Foreclosure/Short Sale History | Minimum of 36 months since a foreclosure or short sale |
Income Criteria
Orange Habitat regularly updates our Mortgage-Ready Program income requirements based on area market conditions. We reserve the right to revise these criteria at any time.
| Household Size | Minimum Yearly Gross Income | Maximum Yearly Gross Income |
| 1 | $46,500 | $71,200 |
| 2 | $46,500 | $81,400 |
| 3 | $46,500 | $91,550 |
| 4 | $46,500 | $101,700 |
| 5 | $46,500 | $109,850 |
| 6 | $46,500 | $118,000 |
| 7 | $50,040 | $126,150 |
| 8 | $55,720 | $134,250 |