Affordable Homeownership
Affordable Homeownership
A hand-up to safe, decent and affordable housing.
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity helps first-time homeowners who may not qualify for conventional financing through affordable mortgages.
Qualified applicants become partners in the work of building or rehabilitating their future homes alongside sponsors, volunteers, and community stakeholders.
How It Works
Steps to homeownership
Applicants must demonstrate a need for affordable housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Review the requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a need for housing, sufficient and verifiable household income, credit-worthiness, stable employment, and a willingness to partner with Habitat.
- A need for housing based on current housing condition, space considerations, cost burden, or other factors.
- Sufficient, stable, and verifiable household income to support monthly mortgage payments.
- Credit-worthiness with no outstanding judgments.
- At least one year of stable employment in the applicant’s current job location.
- A willingness to partner with Habitat.
Approved buyers must complete 200–400 hours of sweat equity and participate in classes on topics such as managing a monthly budget and maintaining a new home.
Before You Apply
Attend a homeowner information session
Applicants should participate in one of these sessions before Cedar Valley Habitat reviews their application.
Habitat staff and volunteers review program guidelines and expectations, and prospective homeowners have an opportunity to ask questions. A reservation is required.
Homeowner information sessions
- CVHFH Homeowner Information Sessions
- 350 6th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Call 319.366.4485 to reserve your seat.
Application Process
Ready to apply?
After reviewing the requirements and attending orientation, applicants are encouraged to apply for homeownership through Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.
A $25 non-refundable application fee is required to help ensure the application is processed in a timely fashion.
What happens next
Pending a successful initial review, applications are forwarded to the volunteer Family Services Committee and ultimately considered for approval by the Board of Directors. Applicants are advised to remain patient, as the application process takes time.
Before closing on a home
Successful applicants enter into full partnership with Cedar Valley Habitat and begin working toward homeownership right away. Before closing, families are required to:
- Complete sweat equity hours
- Complete required classes
- Make a $1,000 down payment
- Pre-pay for one year of homeowners insurance
- Maintain all Habitat partnership and financial fitness requirements
2025–26 Linn County Income Guidelines
Income eligibility is based on household size and Area Median Income guidelines for Linn County.
| Family Size | 30% AMI Income Limit | 80% AMI Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,350 | $56,950 |
| 2 | $24,400 | $65,050 |
| 3 | $27,450 | $73,200 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $81,300 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $87,850 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $94,350 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $100,850 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $107,350 |
2025–26 Benton County Income Guidelines
Income eligibility is based on household size and Area Median Income guidelines for Benton County.
| Family Size | 30% AMI Income Limit | 80% AMI Income Limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23,300 | $62,100 |
| 2 | $26,600 | $70,950 |
| 3 | $29,950 | $79,800 |
| 4 | $33,250 | $88,650 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $95,750 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $102,850 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $109,950 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $117,050 |
Income limits vary by household size and location and are subject to change. Contact us to confirm eligibility.
Forms & Documents
Required application forms
If the application link is not listed, please call the office at 319.366.4485 to request an application.
Please check back later for a link to the application form.
Equal Opportunity
Equal housing opportunity
Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.
The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age, public assistance income, or because the applicant has exercised rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.