SFARFI will pause application requests from March 31, 2026 through June 1, 2026

The SFARFI program will temporarily pause pre-application requests from March 31, 2026, to June 1, 2026.

single-family acquisition
& rehabilitation first
initiative

Program Overview

Harris County’s Single Family Acquisition & Rehabilitation First Initiative (SFARFI) is designed to increase affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income individuals and families within Harris County.

As part of Harris County Housing & Community Development, the SFARFI program aims to bridge the gap between a homebuyer’s mortgage lender approved loan amount and the home’s sales price. Assistance of up to 45% can be used as a price reduction, loan down payment and closing costs (which may cover mortgage rate buy downs).

SFARFI Pre-Application is currently on pause

SFARFI Pre-Application

SFARFI Program Guidelines - English

SFARFI - Fact Sheet

SFARFI - Fact Sheet - Spanish

HUD-Certified Homebuyer Course Partners

Participating Lender List

Credit Counseling Partners

Homebuyer Process

Eligibility Overview
To be eligible to participate in the SFARFI program, you must be able to meet the following requirements:

Applicant must be a first time homebuyer. (Has not owned a home in the past 3 years)
620 credit score or higher
Households with incomes at or below 80% of the AMI
Current Texas ID/DL for any household member 18 or older

Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Verifiable income (last two years of tax returns)
Have valid prequalification letter from a mortgage lender

Must attend and complete an 8-hour, HUD-certified Homebuyer Class. The certificate is good for one year after taking the class. See documents in the Additional Resources tab or click the link below for our homebuyer class partners offering classes year-round. (Applicant and Co-Applicant must each receive a certificate of completion). HUD-Certified Homebuyer Course Partners.

HARRIS COUNTY: 2025 Median Family Income (MFI) Limits Effective June 2025

INCOME LEVELS	HOUSEHOLD SIZE
INCOME LEVELS	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
(80%) Income Limits	56,650	64,750	72,850	80,900	87,400	93,850	100,350	106,800

Reference: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

*Household income limits are subject to annual changes

Home Affordability Determination

Homebuyers will pay no more than 39% of their income toward housing costs, these include:

Mortgage principal and interest
Private mortgage insurance
Property Taxes
Homeowner's insurance
HOA fees

Homebuyers will pay no more than 42% of their incomes toward housing costs and other debt, which may include:

Car Payments
Revolving loans (credit card monthly payments)
Student Loans
Child Support & Other Obligations
Other Loans

Additional Notes:

Homebuyers must be current on child support payments
After closing, homebuyers must live in and maintain the home for an affordability period of 10 years following their purchase. If they move out before the affordability period is up, they will be required to pay back a prorated amount of the assistance provided.

Available Inventory

To see available homes in the Single Family Acquisition & Rehabilitation First Initiative program,

click the button below.

SFARFI Home Inventory

single-family acquisition & rehabilitation first initiative

Program Overview

Additional Resources

Homebuyer Process

Home Affordability Determination

Available Inventory

single-family acquisition
& rehabilitation first
initiative