Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity just got one step closer to building its first-ever home in Marion, with the receipt of “40B affordable housing” designation.

Last week, the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development approved the project’s eligibility as affordable housing under the Local Initiative Program.

With 40B status, Habitat can bypass local zoning restrictions that would otherwise impede the project. The lot is under the two acres required for regular zoning permits and doesn’t have frontage access.

The Habitat house would also count towards the town’s stock of affordable housing, of which the town currently has less than 10 percent.

The project still needs approval from the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals before Habitat can apply for a building permit.

“This is what we were waiting for and now we have it,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson.

Since the project was first proposed in 2009, it has undergone reviews by the town’s Planning Board, which granted approval in the summer. The proposed 1,100 square-foot home would be built at 185 Wareham Road.

Last May Town Meeting gave the Selectmen permission to enter into a purchase of sale agreement with Habitat. Once the project gets the green light from the Zoning Board, the town would formerly transfer the property to Habitat, Dawson said.

“We’re holding onto it until all of the approvals are in place,” Dawson said.