Become a Habitat Homeowner

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat Homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

Homeowner Application Process

Submit 'Expression of Interest'

The applicant submits their initial 'Expression of Interest' using the online form.

Expressions of Interest for our Goulais Avenue complex will be accepted from March 1 at 9:00 a.m. until March 30 at 5:00 p.m.

In-Depth Application

Applicants whose Expression of Interest meets the criteria of our Affordable Homeownership Program are contacted to fill out a more in-depth application. Habitat staff are happy to help with this.

Applicants are required to submit a Credit Check - free of charge from Equifax / TransUnion

Application Reviewed by Family Services Committee

Applications that fall within the annual income parameters and pass the credit check will be reviewed by the Family Services Committee

Apply Now

Home Interviews Scheduled

Two home interviews will be conducted. The first home interview is intended to get to know the applicant and their family. The second home interview is to determine the applicant's need for adequate housing and their ability to partner with Habitat.

Click Here to Learn About Goulais Avenue

Recommendation to Board of Directors

An applicant recommendation is made to the Board of Directors by the Family Services Committee

The Experience

Learn more about the Habitat experience from 14 families who have been part of our Affordable Homeownership Program

Meet Our Homeowners

Approval of Homeowner Application

Should they agree with the Family Services Committee's recommendation, the Board of Directors will approve the homeowner application.

Our Affordable Homeownership Program

We don’t give away free homes; rather, our Affordable Homeownership Program bridges a gap for families unable to afford a traditional mortgage by providing them with the opportunity to purchase their own home.

Families who apply and are accepted to become Habitat Homeowners purchase their home through a no-down-payment, interest-free mortgage geared to their income and contribute at least 500 volunteer hours to Habitat.

Once they move in, Habitat homeowners are responsible for maintaining their own home. We help families and individuals prepare for homeownership by providing homeowner education classes, ranging from financial literacy and budgeting to home-repair and maintenance.

Our path to homeownership requires hard work, time, and dedication, but this helps ensure the long-term success of the families we partner with.

We make affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home impossible for many low-income working families and individuals.

Although Habitat homes are sold at fair market value, Habitat homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are interest-free and set at no more than 30 percent of their gross household income, including principal repayment and property tax. Each year, the gross household income is reviewed and adjustments to the monthly mortgage payment are made based on that income assessment.

Habitat Homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families.

To qualify, eligible homeowners must be:

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎In need of better housing

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ◦‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ Potential homebuyers might be dealing with poorly maintained, unhealthy, or overcrowded housing; unaffordable rent; inaccessible housing for people living with disabilities; or have other shelter needs.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Willing to partner with Habitat

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ◦‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ Habitat Homeowners volunteer a minimum of 500 hours with Habitat including volunteer hours spent building their own home or at a Habitat ReStore. This also includes classes in personal finances, home maintenance, and other homeowner topics.

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Able to make affordable mortgage payments

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ◦‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ Habitat homeowners buy their home for the fair market value. Mortgage payments are made affordable because they do not exceed 30 percent of the gross household income, and income is evaluated on a yearly basis.

If you are accepted...

If you are accepted into the program it is important to know in advance what is expected of you. Before you move into your home, we will have some expectations of you and there are a few things that need to be completed.

Letter of Agreement

You will need to sign a Letter of Agreement which summarizes the partnership you’ve entered into with HFHSSMA. It outlines your responsibilities to Habitat and Habitat’s responsibilities to you

Saving

You should start saving as soon as you are approved for Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program. A good goal would be $1000 - $2000.

There may be other upcoming costs for you associated with moving house, utility company deposits, home insurance, and so forth. When you are ready to sign your mortgage, you will pay approximately $1,000 to cover the legal costs of signing your mortgage.

Even after you’ve moved and signed your mortgage, we recommend you continue to save money (at least $1,000-$2,000 per year) to pay for the costs of maintaining your home.

Volunteer Hours

All families must contribute 500 hours of voluntary service to Habitat for Humanity Sault Ste. Marie & Area, the purpose of which is to add value to the organization.

You may enlist the support of family, friends, or other volunteers who have been personally recruited. Recruited individuals cannot be pre-existing volunteers with HFHSSMA. At no time will

You and those volunteering on your behalf can help build your home (and potentially the homes of others). You may also assist at the ReStore or in other capacities within the organization.

Homeowner Education Program

As part of your volunteer hours, you are required to complete Habitat’s Homeowner Education Program. You will need to attend each seminar in totality; otherwise, you will have to repeat the whole seminar later.

There are 4 modules, totaling approximately 12 hours:

Buying and Funding Yours Family’s New HomeIt is important for you to understand the agreement you are entering into with Habitat. In this seminar, the mortgage agreement is broken down to help you understand the details.Protecting Your Home and FamilyYou will learn about home safety and security.Financial FoundationsYou learn about your risks, home insurance, perspective on money, how to evaluate priorities, build a budget, and stick to it.You will also learn how to save money and build a stable future for your family.Maintaining a Healthy HomeThis module takes place in your home to help you learn the basics of taking care of your home.

Public Relations Work

HFHSSMA asks that, as a homeowner, you advocate for our Affordable Homeownership Program by speaking publicly or writing about your experience with the program and how it has made a difference in your family’s life. This increases awareness within the community of the program and its impact.

You may be asked to speak at public events, including your Groundbreaking Ceremony, Home Dedication Ceremony, and fundraising events.

HFHSSMA will approach you in advance of any necessary public relations work.

Your Habitat House

Homes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Your home may be newly constructed, but from time-to-time other partner families “graduate” from our program and sell their homes back to HFHSSMA. These homes are then sold to prospective homeowners and if you are “next in line,” this existing home will be offered to you.

HFHSSMA will confirm the move-in date as early as possible, based on the construction process and/or the availability of a “buy-back” home.

All homes are built to code.

Standard Features in a Habitat Home:

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Gravel driveway

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Seeded or sodded front lawn

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Vinyl siding, vinyl or aluminum framed windows, soffits, fascia, eaves, and downspouts

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Fully painted walls, ceilings, and trim

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎One bathroom equipped with standard vanity, tub, toilet, paper holder, towel bars, shower rod, and exhaust fan

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Kitchen equipped with sink, cabinets, laminate countertop, rangehood

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Vinyl/laminate/carpet flooring

What’s NOT included:

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Garages/carports

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Air conditioning

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Paved driveways

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Dishwashers

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Garbage disposal units

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Central vacuum or rough-in

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Fencing

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Skylights

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Whirlpool tubs

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Closets in each bedroom

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Roughed-in wiring for phone and cable

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Furnace

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Hot water tank

‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎•‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎Air exchange system

Basic appliances such as a fridge or stove may be provided by HFHSSMA if there is an agreement with a supplier.

Mortgage Agreement

We make affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home impossible for many low income working families and individuals. Although Habitat homes are sold at fair market value, Habitat homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are interest-free and set at no more than 30 percent of their gross household income, including principal repayment and property tax. Each year, the gross household income is reviewed and adjustments to the monthly mortgage payment are made based on that income assessment.

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