2440 U.S. 98 W
Santa Rosa Beach
Florida 32459
Owning a home is more than a dream. With the help of volunteers, donors, and community partners, Habitat for Humanity of Walton County partners with local families to build safe, affordable homes.
Habitat homes are not given away. Partner families are fully invested in the process. They complete sweat equity hours helping build homes, attend homeowner education classes, and purchase their home through an affordable, no-interest mortgage.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate:
Habitat for Humanity of Walton County serves families throughout all of Walton County, from Paxton and DeFuniak Springs to Freeport, Point Washington, and the beaches of South Walton.
IMPORTANT
Pre-Applications: Accepted on a rolling basis
Full Applications Due: May 31, 2026 (Close of Business)
Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application
There is no deadline to submit a Pre-Application. However, applicants must complete the Pre-Application and meet all 10 eligibility requirements before they will be granted access to the Full Application.
The Pre-Application is a short, two-page form that includes 10 screening questions to help determine program eligibility. Only applicants who successfully meet the screening criteria will be invited to complete the Full Application.
There are various steps in the process of applying to become a family partner of Habitat for Humanity. Please go over all the following steps, if you meet all of the requirements for pre-qualification, please fill out the attached form and submit it to our office. You and any co-applicant applying must meet all the pre-qualifications requirements to be considered as an applicant.
Step 1: Submit a Pre-Application
There is no deadline to submit a Pre-Application. However, applicants must complete the Pre-Application and meet all 10 eligibility requirements before they will be granted access to the Full Application.
The Pre-Application is a short, two-page form that includes 10 screening questions to help determine program eligibility. Only applicants who successfully meet the screening criteria will be invited to complete the Full Application.
Pre-Application Screening Requirements
All applicants and co-applicants must meet the following pre-qualification requirements:
☐ Income Requirements
Household income falls within the required range (see Pre-Application for income chart).
• Child support and Social Security may be included if continuing for at least 2 years.
• SNAP benefits are not considered income.
☐ Debt-to-Income Ratio
Total monthly debt is less than 40% of gross monthly income.
☐ Bankruptcy History
• No bankruptcy within the last 3 years
• No more than one bankruptcy within the last 20 years
☐ Rental History
Rent has been paid on time (verification required).
☐ Housing Need
You have a demonstrated need for housing due to one or more of the following:
• Overcrowding
• Substandard or poorly maintained housing
• Living with family or friends
• Receiving Public Housing, Section 8, or HUD assistance
• Unable to afford rent increases
☐ Willingness to Partner
• 250 sweat equity hours per adult
• Participation in required classes and workshops
☐ Residency Requirement
Lived or worked in Walton County for at least one year prior to applying.
☐ Background Requirement
The applicant is not a registered sex offender.
☐ Credit Requirement
Minimum credit score of 640 OR 12 months of on-time payment history from at least three alternate sources (utilities, cell phone, vehicle insurance, etc.).
☐ Citizenship Requirement
U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien (green card required).
You may obtain a Pre-Application:
Completed Pre-Applications may be returned by:
Please note: Screenshots or photos of applications or required documents will not be accepted.
After submission, a Habitat staff member will confirm receipt. If eligible and meet the outlined pre-requirements, you will receive the Full Application by email.
Deadline: May 31, 2026 (by close of business)
The Full Application is a lenghty process and requires detailed personal, financial, and household information. Full Applications must be completed and returned by May 31, 2026 to one of the locations listed above. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please note: Screenshots or photos of applications or required documents will not be accepted.
How Will I Know If I’m Selected?
Once your Full Application is marked “Complete,” it will be reviewed by our Family Selection Committee. Applicants will be contacted after review.
Do I Qualify for a Habitat Partnership Home?
Approved partner families must meet three core requirements:
Your Local Walton County Habitat for Humanity serves all of Walton County Florida. From Paxton, DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, Point Washington, and all the way to our beautiful Gulf beaches.
Walton County , located in Northwest Florida, is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. With a largely rural population of just over 50,000, Walton County has plenty of room for growth. The average age is 40, and the majority of jobs can be found in hospitality, government, transportation and utilities, agriculture and finance. The county offers a unique blend of lifestyles with picturesque farms and timber lands on the north end bordering Alabama and pristine white beaches and coastal dune lakes on the Gulf of Mexico in South Walton.
DeFuniak Springs in the northern end of the county has a population of around 7,000 residents and serves as the county seat. Agriculture is the primary industry in this town, particularly cattle, timber and poultry. The median household income in DeFuniak Springs is $24,516, and 18.4% of the population lives below the poverty line. DeFuniak Springs is home to Lake Defuniak, one of only two perfectly round natural lakes in the world, and the oldest library in Florida still serving the public.
The rural town of Freeport, population 1,500, is located at the crossroads between North and South Walton just north of Choctawhatchee Bay. The largest employers in town are Freeport Shipyard and Murphy Oil; however, most Freeport residents commute to jobs at nearby Eglin Air Force Base or in coastal South Walton. The median household income in Freeport is $25,735, and 21.4% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Paxton is a small rural community located in extreme north Walton County on the Alabama border. With a population of only 750 residents, Paxton covers just four square miles. Primarily a farming and retirement community, Paxton draws plenty of boaters, hunters and fishermen to Lake Jackson, a large natural lake. The median household income in Paxton is $24,625, and 12.3% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Santa Rosa Beach is an unincorporated community in South Walton that stretches from the south end of Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The community’s 11,457 residents enjoy a wide array of outdoor activities at Topsail Hill State Preserve which boasts beautiful beaches, coastal dune lakes, miles of hiking trails and even a cypress swamp.
The tiny enclave of Point Washington is located just north of Highway 98 along Choctawhatchee Bay. Like much of Walton County, Point Washington grew out of the bustling timber business in the early 20th century. Point Washington is home to Eden State Gardens which served as the family estate of a timber magnate and currently houses the second largest collection of Louis XVI furniture in the country. An abundance of ancient live oaks and magnolias make Point Washington a beautiful place to call home.
Habitat ReStore is the place Walton County area homeowners get quality construction materials and household items at bargain prices. Your contributions to Habitat ReStore means materials are kept in use instead of thrown into the landfill. Donate materials, and household items to ReStore and avoid hauling costs, plus receive a tax deduction.
What your support provides:
Everyone wins:
Tuesday - Saturday 9am to 5pm
Closed on Sunday and Monday
(850) 660-6004
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