AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP
Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity (RCHFH) believes that all individuals and families should have a safe, affordable place to call home. When you partner with us, you don’t just build a house. You build a better future with support, resources and opportunities available exclusively to the Habitat community. And when you finally turn the key on your beautiful, new front door, we’ll be there to celebrate with you.
THE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM
When you build a home with Habitat, we provide the knowledge, experience and labor to help make the process not only doable, but enjoyable and affordable. We know homeownership can be tough, but we’re here to make sure you are equipped and empowered for success. We partner with individuals and families like you, who meet our qualifications, with no discrimination in selection. We want to invest in people and families who are willing to invest in themselves and their communities.
The Process
We take a community approach to everything we do, because we believe that it yields the most, and best, results. That includes homeownership. If you are selected, you will become a Future Homeowner and you will work together with your future neighbors for support as you all journey through similar experiences.
Additionally, you will be required to participate in:
Homebuyer Education. Future Homeowners that are accepted into the program will attend homebuyer education classes that cover topics such as financial management, budgeting, basic home maintenance, and responsible homeownership.
Partnership Hours. All Future Homeowners invest at least 250 partnership hours while in the program. These hours will be completed on Habitat build sites and ReStore. They help build not just your hard skills in construction and home maintenance, but they build your future community as well. When you help build your neighbor’s homes, they return the favor.
The Phases
There are 6 Phases of the Homeownership Program. It can take up to 18 months to complete the phases from application to closing. While it may seem like a significant period of time, it is designed for fitting in homebuyer education, partnership hours, and building your home. Learn more about the Homeownership Phases
The Homes
RCHFH builds sustainable, energy-efficient, beautiful, single-family homes. Built with quality materials, they will serve individuals and families for many years to come.
The Purchase
At the end of the Homeownership Program, when the home build is complete, all required homebuyer education classes and partnership hours are completed, you will then purchase your home with an affordable mortgage. The total monthly mortgage payment, including homeowners’ insurance, property taxes and homeowner association dues combined will not exceed 30% of the homebuyer’s gross monthly income.
The Qualifications
To qualify for a home, you must meet three criteria’s:
1. You must have a need for affordable housing.
2. You must have the ability to pay for it, by meeting the gross 2025 Income Guidelines. HUD income guidelines are subject to change at any time.
3. You must be Willing to Partner with us.
The Requirements
- Live or work in Rutherford County for the last 6 months.
- Meet the gross income guidelines per family size.
- All qualifiable and verifiable income must be consistent for 2 full years.
- 620 credit score (no collections/charge offs/judgements). Alternative credit will be used for applicants with no score.
- Bankruptcy (13 or 7) must be discharged for 2 years.
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States for at least 2 years.
- Debt to Income ratio must be less than 40%.
- Pay 1% of sales price for closing cost.
- Willing to complete 250-350 Partnership Hours
- Attend all required Homebuyer Education classes and mandatory meetings.
Legacy Pointe Homes
Homeownership Program Opening Soon!
March 2, 2026 through March 6, 2026
Applications may be picked up at the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity office from 9:00am-5:00pm daily. Applications will close on March 6, 2026 at 5:00pm.
Applications may also be requested via email only during the open application period of March 2nd -6th.
If requesting applications by email, you must print the application to complete it.
To request applications by email, email us with: Your Name, Address, Phone Number & Email Address. Once requested, the application will be emailed to you, to print, complete and return. Email angie@rchfh.org to request an application.
Completed applications must be returned in person, to the Habitat office, by Friday March 13th at 5:00pm. Applications will not be accepted if returned by email, mail or fax. Please refer to the Return Application Instructions on the homeownership application.
Get Ready for Homeownership!
Dominion Financial offers free Get Ready Classes to prepare you for Homeownership. Get Ready Classes will be held via Zoom from 6:00pm –7:30pm.
-Monday February 2nd
-Monday February 9th
-Monday February 16th
-Monday February 23rd
To register click here: https://2getstarted.as.me/GetReadyRC2026. Enrollment deadline is January 31st, 2026!
Learn More
For more information, contact the Homeowner Services Manager at angie@rchfh.org / 615.890.5877
Need Help Now?
We know housing is a significant challenge for many in our community and unfortunately our program cannot serve everyone nor do we provide emergency housing. Below are additional resources and links to housing counselors and other local housing programs.
Homeownership and Financial Counseling:
Dominion Financial Management – Financial and credit coaching! They have helped many improve their credit, lower debts, and implement monthly budgeting skills in order to qualify and become successful homeowners with Habitat or through other mortgage programs. Contact Dominion at (615) 220-5858 or Home Page | Dominion Financial Management, Inc.to schedule an appointment.
Order a free copy of your credit report – www.annualcreditreport.com
Resources to find affordable housing:
TNHousingSearch.org –https://tnhousingsearch.org– Offers thousands of detailed, up-to-date listings of apartments and homes for rent throughout Tennessee. Plus, they specialize in helping people with special challenges, from affordability to disabilities to emergency housing. Search by city, county, or ZIP code to find current listings in your area. Or call 1.877.428.8844 for bi-lingual, one-on-one assistance finding the right listing for your needs and budget.
211 Helpline – United Way of Rutherford County’s 24/7, 365-day information and referral helpline that provides individuals in need with help in times of crisis and beyond. Call 211, or visit 211 | United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties (yourlocaluw.org)
MHA – The Murfreesboro Housing Authority offers public housing – Affordable Housing Page (mha-tn.org)
|
|
