Examples of need include living in a home that might not have proper plumbing or wiring, has structural problems, or is in bad shape. Conditions could be overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe. Paying more than 30% of your income on rent or needing a home that is accessible for someone with a disability also qualify.

Applicants with stronger needs might get higher priority, based on the decision of the homeowner services department. To apply, you should not have owned a home in the last 3 years or had a foreclosure in the last 4 years.

Once chosen for the program, participants must complete sweat equity hours. This means taking homeowner education classes, getting budget coaching, volunteering at the ReStore, and helping build their own home and others in the program. Families with one person applying need to earn 200 hours, while families with two people applying need to earn 280 hours. Accommodations can be made for applicants with disabilities.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to afford the estimated monthly mortgage and household expenses.

Income: Habitat requires a consistent, stable income in the United States for 2 years at a minimum annual household income of $35,500 (subject to change with each application season).

This can include employment, social security, pension, disability income, worker’s compensation, alimony, and reliable child support. We consider the income of all adults (18 or older) in the household. Applicants must verify their employment history and provide documentation of the past 2 years of annual household income.

View our general income guidelines based on household size.

Credit: In addition to a minimum of 620 credit score, established credit is required and must be proven, including 3-4 accounts with a at least a 12 month good payment history.  We accept accounts reported to the credit bureau OR non-traditional credit sources, such as rent, utilities, loans, and other expenses.

Debts, such as collections and charge-offs, must not exceed $2000 at the time of application. If approved, applicants must agree to resolve those debts 90 days before closing.

Bankruptcies must have re-established credit history, including a minimum of 3 accounts with 12 months or more on time payments.

Savings: Applicants must be able to save up to 1% of the home purchase price for the downpayment and $1,000 for closing costs. This value is subject to change based on application season. For example, a home with a value of $275,000 will require closing costs of $2,750 to be saved and provided by the homeowner.