The Habitat Homeownership Program

Families apply to become partners with Habitat. Their application is evaluated on 3 criteria:

• Need for housing. Habitat's mission is to provide solutions for families with a critical need for housing. In this respect they are very different from other home builders. "Need for housing" is identified by one of the following: Currently living in substandard housing; paying too much for housing (more than 40-50 percent of income); overcrowding.
• Ability to pay. Partner families must have sufficient income to pay a mortgage and a credit history which ensures that they will not default on a mortgage as these mortgage payments are used to build additional housing with other families in need.
• Willingness to partner. The construction of a Habitat home is a community event engaging Habitat, volunteers, and the prospective homeowners. Each partner family is required to contribute time on the construction of their home (sweat equity). The number of hours varies from 200-500 hours per family.

Habitat homes are sold with no profit and a 0 percent mortgage.

If you are interested in a partnership with Habitat, call your local affiliate and ask for an application. The specific criteria for partnership are set by your local Habitat. Feel free to contact them to determine if your family qualifies.

You can find your local affilate among the affiliates in the state.