No, Habitat homes are not free. Families are required to purchase the home from Habitat at fair-market value. Therefore, we sign a mortgage with the family once they have finished their 500 volunteer hours and are financially stable to move into homeownership. Currently our program is a zero-down payment, interest free mortgage with payments set at 25% of the family’s gross annual household income. The partnership with Habitat is a hand-up and not a hand-out.