Services

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. For more info visit: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/library/part109.pdf  

Homes for Veterans

Putnam Habitat for Humanity launched a new program in 2019 called the “Veterans Village of Palatka”. A housing assistance program in a new sub-division, specifically designed to address the needs of Putnam County’s honorably discharged U.S. Military Veterans in need of a decent and affordable home to call their own. Veterans must meet low-income guidelines, must have a steady income, and must provide sweat equity if they are physically able. These homes are not rentals and will become owned by the qualifying Veteran. Our purpose is to build homes with families and to sell the houses at no profit and no interest to families who could not otherwise afford a home. We have completed three homes in the Veterans Village with plans to build two more, for a total of 5. All Veterans have been selected for this project.

Putnam Service Project – PSP

We directly fund home repairs on smaller jobs under $1,000. We either supply the labor and materials or pay for the labor and materials. Repairs we do consist of minor repairs which do not require a license — such as plumbing, electrical, or roofing. We use this program mostly for those who do not qualify for the federal or state (USDA/SHIP) programs for those whose situation demands immediate action (federal and state can take up to three months before repairs are made). To qualify for this program, you must be the homeowner, meet low-income guidelines and live in the home in Putnam County. If repairs are more than $1,000 we help with the application process for the USDA home repair program. For more information about repairs, please contact Jim Melfi, our director of home repairs at, 386-983-0596 or [email protected].

Handicapped Ramp

Handicap ramps are included in our Putnam Service Project-Home Repair program. please contact Jim Melfi, our director of home repairs at, 386-983-0596 or [email protected] for more information. If the homeowner is a veteran, we refer them to their doctor who can authorize a ramp at no cost. In 2014 we began working closely with Haven Hospice whereas we supply knock-down aluminum ramps for disabled patients in hospice care for temporary use as long as the patient remains at home. To qualify you must live in Putnam Co. and meet low-income guidelines.

USDA 504 Repairs

We pre-screen and assist with applications for qualified homeowners who can receive up to $20,000 in repairs via the federal government. Loans (1% for 20 years) and grants (62 or older, up to $7,500) are available. The program can repair all types of housing including mobile homes. Please contact Marcia at the Habitat office on Friday’s from 9 am – 1 pm if you need assistance with completing the application for the 504 Home Repair program.

Habitat Assist

We directly assist churches and non-profits in purchasing construction materials at savings as high as 25%. The organizations pay us the discounted amount prior to the purchase being made.

USDA 502 Home Purchase

We refer many people to the USDA’s 502 program. We pre-screen applicants and assist with home loan application. Applicants must meet income guidelines and have a decent credit score, generally at least a 640, unless there are some extenuating circumstances. Home loans are at very low interest rates, for 33 to 39 years. No closing costs or down payment are required, unless assets are over $15,000.

Traditional Habitat Home

Based on four qualifying factors: Need, Ability to Pay, Partnership, and residency in Putnam Co. for at least one year. Habitat selects “partner families” to become Habitat homeowners. Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Race, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin is not a factor in choosing partner families. Partner families are always selected based on their level of need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. If you qualify, you could become the proud owner of a new home, with an interest-free mortgage. 

Applicants are required to meet several qualifications to ensure success. In general, prospective homeowners must:

  • Be a citizen or legal resident.
  • Prove steady income.
  • Have decent credit.
  • Earn a monthly income that falls within minimum and maximum limits, depending on household size.
  • Must live in Putnam County for at least one year.
  • Must pay all closing costs (estimated at $5,000).

We are not accepting traditional home applications at this time, as we are working from a waiting list

In addition, each partner family will be required to:

  • Invest sweat-equity hours in building his/her home and/or others.
  • Make an affordable down payment.
  • Make timely mortgage payments.
  • Attend homeowner education classes.

Annual Fan & Heater Drive

Every winter and summer we conduct our Annual Fan and Heater Drives which help get fans and heat to low-income people in Putnam County at no charge. Fans and heaters that we collect are dropped at the Palatka Christian Service Center and Catholic Charities in Palatka, St. Vincent de Paul’s Thrift Store in Interlachen, and South Putnam Christian Service Center, Crescent City. The public is also encouraged to send money and designate for fans or heaters and it used to purchase them through discounted prices at Lowes.