start your journey to
homeownership
Your Habitat Home Awaits
start your journey to
Now accepting applications
to partner to build in 2027!
Habitat Archuleta is always accepting applications, but there are deadlines to apply for each build season about a year in advance. There are a lot of opportunities and programs out there to help you buy your first home, and we would love to be your first stop along the way.
We host applicant orientations annually at our Mondays in March meetings, and we’re available to answer questions year round. Please contact us for more information!
Your path to owning a home starts here.
At Habitat for Humanity, homeownership is built on partnership — between families, volunteers, donors, and the entire community. Becoming a Habitat homeowner means working alongside us to create a stable, affordable future for your family.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a need for housing, meet income guidelines, and show the ability to pay an affordable mortgage. Future homeowners also commit to contributing “sweat equity” by helping build their home or the homes of others.
Since 1994, we’ve built 36 homes, creating stability and opportunity for over 260 individuals. With help from volunteers, donors, and partners, we’re building a future where everyone can thrive in our mountain town.
It’s a shared journey of effort, hope, and lasting change — and it all starts with a willingness to build a better future together.
Interested in the steps of
habitat homeownership?
Our process is designed to be clear and supportive, guiding you every step of the way from application to moving into your new home. Here’s how it works!
Step 1 — Express Interest
We are always accepting applications, but to be considered for our 2027 builds your complete application (including supporting documents) must be submitted by June 30, 2026
Step 2 — Fill Out The Application
Use this link to fill out an application. After you’ve filled out the application, send it to Habitat Archuleta by:
- Emailing it to [email protected]
- Printing and mailing it to PO Box 2827 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
- Dropping it off in person during operating hours at our office near Natural Grocers downtown, up above TBK bank.
Step 3 — Provide All Supporting Documents
Documents can be dropped off in person at the Habitat Office, downtown by Natural Grocers. We’re a little tricky to find, we’re upstairs from TBK Bank. Office Hours are 11AM to 3PM, Monday through Friday.
Emailing documents is another option, but uploading your documents to dropbox.com is a safer way to ensure the documents remain encrypted. Once you have the full document list uploaded, send Habitat staff a link to your dropbox folder. The file should remain small enough to fit in a free dropbox account.
Step 4 — Meet With Habitat Staff
Since our annual deadline is typically the end of June, to apply to build the following year, Habitat staff meet with all of our applicants—qualified or not—during the month of July. This is a busy season for our small staff, so please be patient with us, but reach out with any questions!
Step 5 — Meet With Our Family Services Team
Not everyone gets to move on to this step. Habitat Archuleta has a team of three volunteers, one of whom partnered with us to build in 2023. These three volunteers meet with all our qualified applicants during the month of August. This can be an intimidating part of the process, but its an important step if we’re going to build a house together! We’ll talk more about what this interview will look like as you move through the process.
Habitat Support
every step
of the way
Sweat equity
builds more than homes
Future homeowners invest time and energy into building their own homes and the homes of other local workforce families — teachers, first responders, healthcare workers, and more — gaining valuable skills and lasting pride.
It’s a community partnership.
Not a giveaway or a hand out.
Habitat homes are not free — they are built through a partnership of hard work, community support, and affordable financing ensuring families can invest in their future without being overwhelmed by housing costs.
Affordable Payments
real opportunity
for your future.
Required
documents
- Complete application
- 1 Consumer Credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com
- 2 credit scores from one of the 3 bureaus: Experian, Equifax, Trans Union
- Bank statements: Most recent 2 months, all accounts
- Pay stubs: Most recent 4 weeks, for all jobs
- Driver’s license or other photo ID
- Unearned income: Most recent benefit statements for any unearned income such as SNAP, TANF, SSI, disability, child support, alimony, etc.
- W2s or 1099s: Most recent two years, all jobs
- Federal Tax Returns: Most recent two years, all pages
- Social security card (only needed if tax returns do not include page 8879 “e-file signature page” which contains the Tax ID Number)
Deed restrictions on
Habitat Homes in Archuleta County
Primary Residence:
You must live in the home.
First Right of Refusal:
If/When you decide to sell your Habitat Home, Habitat Archuleta requires 45 days notice before you list the house for sale. We would love to help you find a buyer, but make no guarantees.
Forgivable Silent Second Mortgage:
Families who partner to build with Habitat Archuleta buy their homes for the appraised market value. Their first mortgage is either our cost of construction, or the maximum they can afford with payments capped at 30% of their monthly gross income. The difference between these two numbers, essentially the dollar amount of the “discount” is not equity in the home on day one, but it is gradually forgiven every month for 30 years. This can also be looked at as forgivable down payment assistance. Its a mortgage you’ll never make a payment on unless you sell the house.
20% Share of Appreciation:
You buy the house for appraised value, and sell it for appraised value down the road. For thirty years, 20% of any increase in value is due to Habitat Archuleta if/when you sell the house. This is just 20% of the change in value. The property is subject to the real estate market and the homeowner’s maintenance just like any other home in Archuleta County.
Frequently asked
questions.
Buying a home is not quick process, today is a great time to get started!
Don’t let this stop you from filling out an application! Habitat Archuleta has an NMLS licensed mortgage loan orginiator on staff, we can help you on track to improving your credit. We can also connect you with a HUD certified credit counselor if there are specific issues to address.
Don’t let this stop you from filling out an application! Mortgage qualifying is largely based on whats called your debt-to-income ratio. Many of our applicants are surprised at what they can afford once we walk them through our mortgage calculator.
No, Habitat Archuleta does not build custom homes. Build sites are determined by our construction committee and board of directors. They are largely selected to meet the needs of our jobsite staff and volunteers, in order to be as efficient as possible, and help keep costs down.
“Having a Habitat house allowed me to provide a stable life for my kids. The mortgage is so affordable that I didn’t have to rely on food stamps or other assistance programs. I’m able to do it on my own.”
— Robin M., House #20 Partner Family
“If you don’t have anything in a community to provide for the workforce, there may not be a community eventually.”
— Duane P., Core Volunteer
“And I think that’s what motivates the other volunteers I work with….The realization that without volunteers, affordable housing is not attainable.“
— Larry P., Core Volunteer
“This has changed my life. I wanted so badly to build a home, and I wanted to be a big part of it. I was able to, which is incredible. My special needs son now has a place he can be for the rest of his life.”
— Robin K., House #28 Partner Family
“Just don’t give up because it’s worth it in the end.”
— Barbara N., House #13
“It changes your life. It really puts you in that next step where you think that you’re making a difference.”
— Leonard N., House #13
Interested
But not sure?
Fill out the pre-application form
Interested
And want to apply for sure?
Fill out the pre-application form. (download pdf)
Not sure?
Please email us.