Sweat Equity was overseen by the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity and worked in partnership with New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) Mortgage Agency (SONYMA). SONYMA provides a two percent, fixed interest rate mortgage to homebuyers, who, in exchange, must work 200 hours or more on the construction of their buildings and put a one percent down payment toward the purchase price of the home. In addition to the down payment, buyers made monthly payments equal to one-third of their incomes. Only low-income, first-time homeowners with credit scores above 620 were eligible.