About New Home Construction
Building a new family home is a journey we are proud to take with each of our partner families as we work together to construct affordable housing in our community. Selected families or individuals learn building from the ground up as they invest 250 hours each of sweat equity, or time worked, alongside Habitat crew and volunteers on their homes. Upon completion, a family has gained valuable skills and knowledge and a secure financial future as they close on an affordable mortgage through Habitat.
Wondering more about the process and if you are good fit for this opportunity? Read through our FAQ's below to learn more and find out how to apply.
“My advice to a future homeowner would be “what seems impossible now will always be possible when you believe the strength that lies within you”.
~Jane Hodge, 107th Habitat homeowner
Households between 30% and 60% of the poverty threshold are eligible for the Habitat New homeownership program, with some flexibility.
Three factors contribute to the selection:
-Need: housing must be too small, unsafe, or unaffordable
-Ability to pay: applicants must be able to afford a mortgage
-Willingness to partner: applicants are expected to commit to the homeownership process.
No. At the end of completion, the home is sold at an affordable mortgage to the homeowner. Because of the use of volunteers and other resources, the cost of construction is kept as low as possible in order to ensure the new homeowners have an affordable payment.
No. We are part of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization but religion is not a factor in selecting a partner family.
Every adult member in a partner family is expected to contribute 250 hours of sweat equity (work that is performed) on Habitat for Humanity homes. Partner families are expected to work on their own home and the homes of other partner families in the building process. The work can also take on many forms as we work with individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities. We make a plan with all families to make sure they have ample opportunities to complete their sweat equity.
The process usually takes 12-16 months from the start of application to finishing and moving into the house.
- Print and email/mail to the office Home Owner Application Packet
- Call the office and request a physical copy mailed to your address.
- Stop by the office and pick up a physical copy.
If you have any questions about the application or how to fill it out, please call our office. We are happy to help you!
Paperwork must be completed before we can process the application.
After we receive your completed application, there are a few steps we must complete on our end:
- Verify the documents included in the application packet
- Run a DTI (debt to income) calculator and credit check
- Send application to the family selection committee
- Interview and housing assessment
- If approved, send to Board of Directors
- Credit Score
- Debt-to-income ratio too high
- Loans in default
- A recent foreclosure or bankruptcy
- Inability to make mortgage payments
- Unwillingness to complete 250 sweat equity hours per adult
Yes. We encourage you to reapply if you were not selected in the past and your situation has changed.
Partner families can move into their new home only after all sweat equity is completed and all work has been finished on the home. We hold a house blessing ceremony, where community leaders and neighbors are invited to celebrate. Then, it’s move-in time!
Here’s what to expect if you approved for a homeownership process:
-Meeting with Executive Director to discuss lot selection
-Reviewing and signing partnership agreement
Partner families will be expected to complete classes focused on skills needed for homeownership such as finances and upkeep.
Your homeownership journey has just begun. As a Habitat homeowner, you are expected to:
-pay your mortgage in a timely manner
-communicate any financial difficulties that may prevent you from making a payment
– you may be asked to share your story in order to promote the Homeownership program