Overview
Habitat for Humanity–Clinton County (HFH-CC) is a true partnership housing program. We work alongside individuals and families who are ready to build a better future through affordable homeownership.
To qualify, applicants must:
- Demonstrate a clear need for safe, decent housing,
- Show the ability to repay an affordable mortgage (monthly payments will not exceed 30% of gross income and include taxes and insurance), and
- Be willing to partner with Habitat throughout the homebuilding and buying process.
Our homebuyers invest sweat equity by working alongside volunteers to build their own homes as well as the homes of other families. They also participate in homeownership education and financial classes to prepare for long-term success. Throughout their journey, they serve as proud ambassadors for Habitat for Humanity–Clinton County.
In return, they are given the opportunity—not a handout—to build and purchase a home with an affordable mortgage. At HFH-CC, we don’t give away houses. We provide the opportunity for individuals and families to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.
Step 1: Review Habitat's 3 Qualifications For Applying
1. Must have a need for adequate housing:
You must be living in substandard or inadequate housing that does not meet your needs, living in subsidized housing, your current housing expenses exceeds 30% of your monthly income or you do not qualify for conventional financing.
We encourage you to apply and let us determine if you meet this criterion.
2. Demonstrate an ability to pay an affordable mortgage payment (will not exceed 30% of your monthly income)
Mortgage payments include closing costs, taxes and insurance. The ability to pay criteria is listed as a part of Step 2 below.
3. Must be willing to partner:
This is a public partnership with many responsibilities and expectations for each Habitat for Humanity homebuyer. At Habitat, we often say we give away nothing to homebuyers, but an opportunity. To be considered to build and purchase a Habitat for Humanity home, you must be willing to invest “sweat equity” hours. You earn sweat equity hours by working to help in building your home and the homes of others, attending homeownership classes, working in the Habitat ReStores or other approved activities.
One applicant household must earn 300 hours of Sweat Equity, and two applicant households must earn 500 hours of Sweat Equity.
Please Note: You must be comfortable with friends and family knowing you are purchasing a home with Habitat. This is a public partnership that can involve news coverage, social media coverage and information about homebuyers and build sites are shared on our website.
Step 2: Confirm That Your Household's Gross Income Falls Within The Range In The Qualifying Income Chart
Step 3: Confirm You Meet Credit Requirements
1. No bankruptcy within the past three years. (Must be three years free from date of discharge.)
2. No evictions within the past 12 months.
3. Must be a first-time homebuyer.
4. No felony convictions for anyone in household, over age 18.
5. No open judgements or liens.
6. Debt to income ratio cannot exceed 43% of monthly income spent on an affordable mortgage (not to exceed 30% of your monthly income) and monthly debt combined.
7. No more than $2,000 in uncollected, past due, bad debt.
Example: If a credit card has $3,000 balance and payments are current, this is not considered a "bad" debt. However, if a credit card is in default and is in collections, that would be considered a "bad" debt.
You can check your credit by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. You are entitled to receive one free copy from each of the three credit reporting agencies one time per year by visiting this website.
Please note: Married applicants can apply individually, but spouse must be listed on application as member of household, provide all income and asset information, consent to a background check and agree to sign a release of dower rights at time of home purchase. The spouse, who is not an applicant, will not have their income or debts counted when determining if the applicant meets the ability to pay criteria, but their income and assets will be considered to determine if the household income is within Habitat’s guidelines.
Confirm You Are Interested In One Of Our Build Sites
Fill Out Our Pre-Screening Application
Please review the steps above and our Frequently Asked Questions first before completing the pre-screening application to determine if you qualify.
Applications are currently closed due to high demand. We plan to reopen the application process in August.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the process take?
Building and buying a home with HFH-CC is not a quick process. From approval to purchase of your home can take anywhere from six to eighteen months. However, once Habitat receives your initial application, you will be contacted by mail within 30 days and notified either:
- Application is complete, you meet our ability to pay, and general requirements and we are ready to schedule a home interview to assess your need for housing and willingness to partner and complete the application process to determine if you are eligible.
- Your application is incomplete, and a list of required documents will be provided.
- Your application has been reviewed and denied. The notice of adverse action will list the reason(s) that your application was denied.
How is income calculated?
Income is calculated using the total household’s gross monthly income, considering everyone over the age of 18 in the household when we determine if the total household is within the minimum and maximum range of income allowed.
However, only the income of the applicant(s) will be used to determine if the ability to pay requirements are met to qualify for a Habitat mortgage. Income is counted from sources such as employment wages, child support, alimony, Social Security Survival benefits, SSDI, & SSI. Unearned income for minors such as child support and SSI, etc. is typically not counted for children over age 15.
Households whose monthly income is not within the income qualification range will not qualify or where the applicant (s) are not meeting income requirements will not qualify.
Is there a down payment required?
Yes, a down payment of $500 is required and homebuyers are required to pay the first year’s premium for homeowner’s insurance prior to purchasing home.
What is sweat equity?
Sweat equity is the cornerstone of Habitat and the strategy used to empower our homebuyers that sets us apart from other affordable housing providers. Habitat is not a “hand-out,” but a “hand-up.” A home is not being built for you or given to our home buyers. Each Habitat homebuyer builds their home side by side with volunteers and then purchases the home when complete. Nothing is given away but opportunity.
Habitat uses the term “sweat equity” to refer to the hours of labor our homebuyers dedicate to building their homes, and the homes of their neighbors, as well as attending homeownership classes and Habitat events. HFHCC homebuyers begin their sweat equity after being accepted into the program, earning a minimum of 8 hours of sweat equity per month until their home begins construction.
Once a home begins construction, homebuyers are required to work each Saturday side by side with the volunteers building their home. Sweat equity reduces the amount of paid labor needed for a house, which in turn helps reduce cost. Additionally, time spent building your own home can instill a sense of pride and ownership, teaching you the basic building and house-maintenance skills that are necessary for successful homeownership. Note: A single applicant will need to earn a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity, while two applicant households will earn a minimum of 500 hours.
How much is the monthly mortgage payment?
Monthly mortgage payments vary but will never be more than 30% of a homebuyer’s monthly income. Monthly mortgage payments include an escrow payment for homeowners' insurance and taxes.
Do you have a waiting list?
No, we do not keep a waiting list. Applications are only accepted when build sites are available, please continue to check our website to confirm if we are accepting applications.
Can I reapply if I am denied?
Absolutely! If you are denied for our program, the reason(s) for denial will be listed. This provides you with the opportunity to correct any issues and resubmit another application.
Do I need to be employed?
No, but you must have a steady income for at least the prior two years that does meet our income guidelines. Qualifying income may include, but is not limited to child support, alimony, SSA, SSI, retirement and income from your employment.
What is the U.S. Citizenship requirement?
All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents. Copies are required of two (2) of the following documents for each applicant and co-applicant: driver’s license, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Social Security Card, state photo ID, passport.
Can only families with children apply?
No. Individuals and families qualify for a Habitat home by needing adequate, affordable housing, ability to pay their mortgage in addition to other monthly expenses and have a willingness to partner with Habitat to build their home and support the Habitat mission. Habitat for Humanity – Clinton County does not discriminate against race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin.
Can I apply as a single applicant if I am still legally married?
Married applicants can apply individually, but spouse must be listed on application as member of household, provide all income and asset information, consent to a background check and agree to sign a release of dower at time of home purchase. The spouse, who is not an applicant, will not have their income or debts counted when determining if the applicant meets the ability to pay criteria, but their income and assets will be considered to determine if the household income is within Habitat’s guidelines.
Can I qualify if I have an eviction?
It must be one year from the date of the completed eviction.
How can I find out what is on my credit report?
You are able to access a free credit report once a year from each of the three reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. To obtain a copy of your free credit report, go to the website www.annualcreditreport.com.
What if my credit report shows outstanding collections, debt, bankruptcies, judgments or liens?
Your credit history is a good indicator of your ability to meet your financial obligations and therefore Habitat takes credit reports into account when determining an applicant’s eligibility. We do not use credit scores in our assessment of eligibility; however, we evaluate whether you are timely in paying debts. We carefully review your credit report to see if there are collections, open judgments, or recent bankruptcies/foreclosures.
Bankruptcies and/or foreclosures must have been discharged for 3 years before applying.
Lastly, an applicant’s debt-to-income ratio (DTI) may not exceed 43%.
We will not consider an applicant(s) who has over $2,000 in uncollected, past-due debt. We do require applicants with negative credit accounts (as long as they total under $2,000) to have payment plans in place. We are unable to partner with applicants who have open unpaid judgments or liens.
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.
