You must demonstrate all three of Habitat’s criterion:
- A need for improved housing
- Ability to pay an affordable mortgage
- Willingness to partner with Habitat through sweat equity
This step helps determine if the program is a good fit for you and your family before you apply.
Need, Ability, and Willingness to Partner
Habitat uses three main criteria to assess if applicants qualify for the homeownership program. Applicants must demonstrate all three criterions:
Demonstrate a Need for Adequate Housing:
Applicants must exhibit a genuine need for improved housing. Examples include residing in a dwelling with insufficient plumbing or electrical systems, structural deficiencies, or significant disrepair. Additional indicators of need may encompass overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe living situations, rent payments exceeding 30% of gross monthly income, or the necessity for accessible accommodations due to household members with disabilities.
· Ability to Sustain Affordable Mortgage Payments:
Applicants are required to demonstrate financial capability to meet projected monthly mortgage obligations and related household expenses. Habitat stipulates stable and consistent income for at least the past two years, with reasonable expectation for continuation over the next three years. Verification through employment history and supporting documentation (e.g., tax returns, W-2) is mandatory. Applicants must have $500 for a down payment and remit the first year's homeowner’s insurance premium prior to closing. Homes are sold at no profit with zero percent interest mortgage. Monthly housing payment will be no more than 30% of their monthly income.
· Willingness to Partner with HFH-CC in Home Construction and Purchasing the home:
Program participants are expected to actively engage in “sweat equity,” working alongside volunteers weekly on the construction of their own homes and those of others. Attendance at homeownership and financial literacy classes, volunteering at fundraising events, and consistently serving as a positive representative for HFH-CC throughout the process are required components. Single-applicant households must complete 250 hours of sweat equity; two households are to fulfill 500 hours. Applicants must be willing to live in the neighborhoods that HFH-CC is currently building and must be willing to accept the standard Habitat house-designs.
Go to STEP 2
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.
