Photo courtesy Habitat Archuleta.
Habitat for Humanity of Archuleta County will be hosting ‘Night at the Library’ on Friday, April 5 from 5 to 6pm where we’ll discuss our application process and what it looks like to build a house with Habitat Archuleta.
Child supervision will be provided.
There are many options for homeownership, and Habitat Archuleta has two routes available for this community. Information presented at our Night at the Library will primarily be about the 18-month path to affordable homeownership by building a new home with Habitat Archuleta.
Because partnering to build with Habitat Archuleta is a competitive process, we offer mortgage financing to families who apply but are not invited to partner to build. Due to wait lists and staff workload, the mortgage financing runs on a similar timeline to our construction process. The Rural Development mortgage financing is advantageous to workforce families, but a very different process from conventional mortgage loans — even those with down-payment assistance or other affordability guidelines.
Habitat Archuleta knows we can’t fulfill our mission without local workforce families to partner with. Families who partner to build with Habitat Archuleta do not get a free house.
Our partner families purchase the home they help us build with a USDA Rural Development 502 Direct Loan, which is only available through nonprofit entities or directly through the USDA’s Rural Development office in Cortez.
Habitat Archuleta is currently accepting applications to partner on our three 2025 builds, planned for the Trails and Chris Mountain Village II neighborhoods of the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners’ Association. These all-electric homes will be equipped with rooftop solar to dramatically reduce utility expenses for long-term affordability.
Habitat Archuleta subcontractors and volunteers equip modular homes with heat pump air handlers and are selected to fit the family and the neighborhood.
Families who partner with Habitat Archuleta will own a home with 30- year deed restrictions, which serve to both protect the equity for the homeowner and preserve the donations grantors and the community have provided.
Annual household income to participate in the program is limited to $69,600 for a household of one to four people. For households of five to eight people, the income limit is $91,850. Applications for 2025 are available and will be accepted through July 1. You can find those applications on our website or swing by our office at 703 San Juan St., Suite 201.
Monica Nigon writes for Habitat Archuleta, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.