Apply for a Habitat Home
Who qualifies for a home?
The three criteria to qualify for a Habitat home are
- need for affordable housing,
- ability to repay a Habitat mortgage, and
- willingness to partner with Habitat.
Need for affordable housing is defined by a family income that is below the government-set Low
Income Cut-Off (poverty line) for their particular region, and existing living conditions that
are inadequate in terms of structure, cost, safety or size. The ratio of shelter expense to
total income is also factored.
Ability to repay a Habitat mortgage requires that the family has a stable income sufficient to
cover the monthly mortgage payments and other expenses that come with home ownership.
Homeowners must demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat by contributing 500 hours of
volunteer labor ("sweat equity") towards the building of their home.
How are families chosen?
Families are chosen on the basis of the above criteria.
We look at each family's employment records, present housing situation, and ability to carry the expense of purchasing a home.
For more details, see our Pre-Applicant Letter.
What do families contribute?
In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests hundreds of hours of
their time to assist in the building of their home. In return, Habitat homeowners
are given the unique opportunity to buy a home through an interest-free mortgage.
Thus, gaining substantial equity they would not have if renting.
How to Apply
Contact our Office Administrator to schedule a personal
appointment to receive your application.
Return the completed application to our office, so that we may
forward it to our Family Selection Committee for review.
Please note that the committee meets once a month,
therefore allow 6-8 weeks before receiving news from them concerning
the status of your application.
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