Affordable Homeownership Program
We make affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home difficult for many families and individuals.
Although Habitat homes are sold at fair market value, Habitat homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are 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, applicants must demonstrate:
• A need for 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.
• A willingness 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.
• The ability 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.
1. Submit 'Expression of Interest'
- The applicant submits their initial Expression of Interest using the form found here.
- Habitat staff are happy to help you complete the form if need be.
2. In-Depth Application
- Applicants whose Expression of Interest meet the criteria of our Affordable Homeownership Program will be contacted to fill out a more in-depth application.
- Applicants are required to submit a Credit Check - free of charge from Equifax / TransUnion.
3. Application Reviewed by Family Services Committee
- Completed applications will be reviewed by the Family Services Committee.
4. Home Interviews Scheduled
- Home interviews will be scheduled with all successful applicants. These are intended to get to know the applicant and their family as well to determine the applicant's need for adequate housing and their ability to partner with Habitat.
5. Recommendation to Board of Directors
- An applicant recommendation is made to the Board of Directors by the Family Services Committee.
6. Approval of Homeowner Application
- Should they agree with the Family Services Committee's recommendation, the Board of Directors will approve the homeowner application.
7. The Experience
- Learn more about the Homeownership Program from families who have moved into their Habitat Home found here.
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, the following must be completed:
1. 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.
2. Savings
- We recommend that you start saving as soon as you are approved for Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program. Homeowners are expected to pay for legal fees and closing costs when the mortgage is signed. There may also be costs associated with moving, utility set up, home insurance, and so forth. The total amount of these costs is approximately $5,000.
- 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.
3. Volunteer Hours
- Selected families will complete 500 volunteer hours before purchasing the home as part of their investment into the Habitat program.
- Volunteer hours can be done at the ReStore, attending events, media interviews, and by completing mandatory homeowner education modules (see more in next section.) Friends and extended family may contribute some hours, and children in the home can contribute hours based on their age.
- Partner families should be active participants in Habitat events as they are representatives of Habitat in the community.
4. Homeowner Education Program
- Selected families are required to complete each module of Habitat’s Homeowner Education Program.
- The Homeowner Education modules are intended to prepare applicants for the responsibility of homeownership, such as home maintenance and repair, and budgeting.
- You will earn volunteer hours for each module completed.
5. 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.
- All public relations engagements that you participate in prior to move-in will count towards your volunteer hours.
Habitat offers newly-built homes as well as homes that Habitat has bought back from "graduated" homeowners. The available homes will be disclosed to you before or during the application process.
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. We do our best to give you at least 30 days’ notice.
All homes pass a building code inspection prior to move-in.
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 with shower attachment, toilet paper holder, towel bars, shower rod, and exhaust fan
• Kitchen equipped with sink, cabinets, laminate countertop, range hood
• Vinyl / laminate / carpet flooring
• Closets in each bedroom
• Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• Roughed-in wiring for phone and cable
• Furnace
• Hot water tank
• Air exchange system
What’s NOT included:
• Garages/carports
• Air conditioning
• Paved driveways
• Dishwashers
• Garbage disposal units
• Central vacuum or rough-in
• Fencing
• Skylights
• Whirlpool tubs
Basic appliances such as a fridge or stove may be provided by HFHSSMA if there is an agreement with a supplier.
Whenever possible, HFHSSMA will let homeowners choose interior finishing such as paint, tile, countertops, flooring, and window finishes. Choices are limited by budget, supplier donations, and discounts on in-stock materials as arranged by HFHSSMA. Each home is painted one color throughout the interior and all trim will be painted white.
Special requirements of the family based on physical limitations or medical conditions should be conveyed to the Family and Volunteer Coordinator as soon as possible. While HFHSSMA will make a reasonable effort to meet your family’s needs, this is not a custom-built house, and we may not be able to accommodate all requests.
We make affordable homeownership accessible by removing barriers that can make owning a home difficult for many working families and individuals. Although Habitat homes are sold at fair market value, Habitat homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are 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.
Chek our current homeowners experiences here!
