Step 1:

Complete the Application for Partnership Program.  Applicants will receive a letter informing them of their eligibility.  If your situation is deemed ineligible, you are invited to apply at a later date should your situation change.

Step 2:

If you are eligible, you will be scheduled to meet with Habitat staff to review details of employment, personal finances and bill payment history with supporting documentation.  You will be asked to submit to a credit pull and a background check. Habitat conducts an internal review for completeness.  Some applicants may be in this phase for an extended period as they improve their credit worthiness.

Step 3:

When your application and supporting documentation is complete, you will submit them to one of our banking partners for mortgage pre-approval.

If the number of mortgage pre-approved applicants exceeds the number of properties, then we have a waiting list based on the order in which the applications were completed and approved.

Step 4:

Once pre-approved for a mortgage, you will be matched with a property and invited to become a Habitat Partner Family.  Partner Families agree to invest 500 hours of time and labor (“sweat equity”, see FAQ page) as a down payment on their home. This model helps keep the upfront costs and monthly payments low.  Partner Families agree to attend classes designed to prepare them for homeownership and to save $2,500 to be paid toward closing costs.

When the house is completed and all requirements are met, the family will purchase the house at market value and it will be financed with an affordable mortgage. Total monthly payments will be based on your ability to pay and the local affiliate will subsidize the remaining value of the home.