Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick helps bring affordable homeownership within reach for eligible families across the province. Learn more about our eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and application process.

How Habitat Homeownership Works

Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick’s Affordable Homeownership Program helps bring homeownership within reach for families across the province who may face barriers to purchasing through the traditional housing market.


Families partner with HabitatNB to purchase a home through an affordable mortgage model, with no down payment required and monthly payments geared to household income. Built on partnership and shared responsibility, our program creates an achievable pathway to homeownership while supporting long-term affordability and stability.


Learn more about HabitatNB’s homeownership model

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Building a Better Future

Who is Eligible?

Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick's Homeownership Program is designed for individuals and families who have a demonstrated need for more suitable housing and the financial stability to take on the responsibilities of homeownership, but who face barriers to purchasing a home through the traditional housing market.


Every application is carefully reviewed based on the following eligibility criteria.

Click each category below to view the full requirements.

  • Need for Housing

    Applicants must demonstrate a need for more suitable housing. This may include:


    • Affordability:  Current housing costs take up a significant portion of household income. 

    • Condition or suitability:  Current housing is overcrowded, unsafe, in poor condition, or otherwise unsuitable for the household’s needs. 

    • Health or accessibility:  Current housing does not adequately meet a household member’s health, mobility, or accessibility needs. 

    • Barriers to homeownership:  The household is unable to access homeownership through the traditional housing market, despite being financially prepared for the responsibilities of owning a home.

  • Ability to Pay

    Applicants must demonstrate that they are financially prepared to take on an affordable mortgage, manage the ongoing costs of owning a home, and sustain homeownership over the long term.


    • Household income:  A minimum gross household income of $48,000 from eligible income sources is required. Household income must fall within a defined range, which may vary based on household size, location, and the size or style of home available. 

    • Eligible income:  Households must have a stable and reliable source of qualifying income. This generally includes employment income or permanent disability income, although other stable income sources may be considered. Government supports such as the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) and income assistance may supplement household income but cannot be the primary or only source of income used to qualify. 

    • Debt:  We consider existing monthly debt obligations to ensure a HabitatNB mortgage can be managed alongside other financial commitments. 

    • Credit history:  A satisfactory credit report is required. Applicants must not be currently involved in a consumer proposal and must have been discharged from bankruptcy for at least two years. 

    • Homeownership costs:  Families must be financially prepared for closing and moving costs, home insurance, utilities, and the ongoing costs of maintaining a home. 

  • Willing to Partner

    Applicants must be willing to actively participate in the HabitatNB Homeownership Program and work alongside us throughout their homeownership journey. This includes:


    • Volunteer Hours:  Completing 500 volunteer hours through activities such as helping with the completion of their home, volunteering at a Habitat ReStore or event, and giving back within their community. 

    • Homeowner Education:  Participating in required education to help prepare for the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home. 

    • Ongoing partnership: Working collaboratively with HabitatNB throughout the term of the mortgage and serving as an ambassador for Habitat within the community.

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident?

    We welcome applications from eligible individuals and families who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada at the time of application.

The Application and Selection Process

Habitat New Brunswick, Clipboard checklist with pencil and checked boxes
1. Start by completing our short pre-screening form (see below). This helps us determine whether your household may meet the basic eligibility criteria.
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2. We review every pre-application and follow up directly. If you meet the basic eligibility criteria, we will invite you to complete the full application. If not, we may share other housing resources that could help.
Habitat New Brunswick, Illustration of a person presenting slides on a laptop in a blue webinar-style frame
3. The full application requires detailed household information and supporting documentation for a thorough review of income, debt, credit history, financial stability, and your current housing situation.
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4. Applications that meet HabitatNB’s financial criteria are shared with our credit union lending partner for an independent financial review.
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5. The Family Selection Committee reviews qualified applications, considering each family’s housing need, financial readiness, suitability of the available home, and willingness to partner with HabitatNB. Applicants who move forward will take part in an interview and home visit with members of our Committee.
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6. Following the home visits and interviews, the Committee recommends a family for the available home to HabitatNB’s Board of Directors for final approval. Once approved, the selected family begins their partnership with HabitatNB, including completing 500 volunteer hours and required homeowner education.

Homeownership Application and Selection Process

Complete the Pre-Application Form

Step 1

Start by completing the Pre-Application for Homeownership Form. This short pre-screening form helps us determine whether your household may be eligible for HabitatNB’s Affordable Homeownership Program.

Pre-Application Review

Step 2

A HabitatNB representative reviews each Pre-Application. In some cases, we may follow up with additional questions to better understand your household’s situation.


Applicants who meet the basic eligibility criteria will receive a secure link to complete the full HabitatNB application form online. 


If a household does not qualify for our program, or if we do not currently have any builds open for applications in their area, we will let them know and share information about other housing resources that may be helpful.

Complete the Full Application

Step 3

The full application requires applicants to provide detailed household information and supporting documentation so we can complete a thorough financial review for all adult household members. This review looks at income, debt, credit, and overall financial stability. It also helps us better understand your current living conditions and determine whether the available Habitat home would be a suitable fit for your household.

Credit Union Financial Review

Step 4

Applications that meet HabitatNB’s financial criteria are shared with our credit union lending partner for an independent financial review. This helps confirm that the household is in a position to successfully manage a Habitat mortgage.

Family Selection Committee Review
& Home Visit

Step 5

Applications that meet the financial criteria are presented to the Family Selection Committee, a group of dedicated volunteers who carefully review each application. The committee considers a family’s housing need, financial readiness, suitability of the home, and ability to successfully partner with HabitatNB.


Families who move forward in the process will be invited to participate in a home visit and family interview with members of the committee. In some cases, a follow-up interview may also be requested.

Final Approval

Step 6

The Family Selection Committee makes a recommendation to the HabitatNB Board of Directors, who provide final approval for the selected family. Once approved, the family is notified and begins preparing for their partnership with HabitatNB, including completing their 500 volunteer hours.

Start the application process

The first step in the application process is to complete this short pre-screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility.

Trouble Accessing Form?

Where Homes Are Built in New Brunswick

Habitat for Humanity New Brunswick’s work is province-wide. Recent and active builds include communities such as Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, and more.


Impact looks different from one community to another, but the mission remains the same: helping make affordable homeownership possible in New Brunswick.


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GET INVOLVED

Need More Information?

If you have questions about the Homeownership Program or the application process, our team would be happy to help.