First-Time Home Buyer Program From Habitat for Humanity of Berks County
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County runs a First-Time Home Buyer Program that gives individuals and families the chance to own a fully renovated or newly built home when they would not qualify for a home of like condition through a traditional bank mortgage or another funding source. The page announces that Habitat Berks is accepting applications from first-time homeowners for its homes in Reading, though it does not give a date or a deadline, so ask whether applications are still being taken.
To buy a home through Habitat Berks, individuals and families must have lived in Berks County for at least one year, not currently own a home, and submit documentation of US citizenship or legal residency. You must also submit proof of income, demonstrate a need for an affordable home (such as unsafe living conditions, overcrowding or a high cost of rent), and be willing to partner with Habitat Berks in completing 200 hours of sweat equity. Household income must be, at most, 80% of the Area Median Income, based on the number of household members. The dollar figures behind that limit are not printed, so ask the office what the limit is for your household size.
Habitat does not give homes away. Habitat homeowners purchase their homes at market value through low-interest, 30-year mortgages. Mortgage payments vary depending on the size of the house and are also affected by the cost of property taxes and homeowners insurance. With rare exceptions, Habitat Berks is able to place homeowners into homes that cost less than or equal to the amount they are paying in rent.
During the 12 to 14 month program, buyers take up to 45 hours of financial education courses and complete 200 hours of sweat equity. In the questions and answers, the 200 hours of sweat equity are described as including up to 50 hours of classroom education. At the end of the 12 to 14 month period, the family signs a 30-year affordable mortgage.
Applicants complete an extensive application and are selected based on income, willingness to partner with Habitat, and need. Selections are determined by a volunteer-run family selection committee. If you are chosen, you will be notified by both phone and letter and asked to schedule an orientation session with the Director of Family Services. You may begin your 200 sweat equity hours as soon as you are notified that you have been accepted, and hours are scheduled through the Director of Family Services.
Plan on a long timeline. The entire process from application to house dedication typically takes between 18 and 24 months, and much of the timing depends on how complete the initial application is and how quickly the homeowner completes their sweat equity hours.
The page does not say how to get or submit an application, so contact Habitat Berks to ask for the next step. The general contact number for the organization is (610) 373-3439 and the email address is info@habitatberks.org. The affiliate office is at The Goggleworks, 201 Washington Street, Suites 329-330, Reading, PA 19601, and office hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm, closed Saturday and Sunday. The homes themselves are elsewhere in Reading, such as the Miltimore Street builds.
One thing to know: critical repair of homes people already own is not in the scope of Habitat Berks' current work. For that kind of help, the organization points people to 211.
The program description also appears in Spanish on the same page.
Source: habitatberks.org/own-a-home, read September 18, 2026.
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g, high cost of rent, etc.) Must be, at most, 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), based on the number of household members
- Submit documentation of US citizenship or legal residency
- Submit proof of income
In Habitat for Humanity of Berks County’s words
Our Habitat Berks First-Time Home Buyer Program offers the opportunity to own a fully-renovated or new home to individuals and families who may not qualify for a home of like condition through traditional mortgage through a bank or other funding source. During the 12-14 month program, potential home buyers take up to 45 hours of financial education courses and complete 200 hours of “sweat equity.”
Organization
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from habitatberks.org/own-a-home. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.