Refer an Applicant for our Affordable Homeownership Program
It often takes a gentle nudge from a case worker, family member, co-worker, or friend, for applicants to have the courage to apply for our program.
Do you know a deserving individual or family that may qualify for our homeownership program? We would love your help in identifying qualified applicants and supporting them through our rigorous application process.
Join our Referral Partner Email List
Help the applicant prepare for our next round of applications in advance!
Our full application packet is not available year-round, however, we recommend that people start getting their documentation organized in advance and take the following steps that will improve their chances of being qualified and selected.
- Turn in a fully completed application before the deadline – ensure that all checklist items* that apply to the applicant’s situation are included, along with the complete application packet and signed forms.
- Attend the virtual homeownership program applicant orientation class that is held each year after applications begin.
- View credit report – www.annualcreditreport.com and begin paying down any debt that is owed.
- Start a new savings account and work on saving towards buying a house. Our program has a $3,000 requirement for our future homeowners to pay at the time of closing. We recommend having additional funds in the account to purchase other items that will be needed for homeownership.
- Consider talking to a bank or mortgage company to see about qualifying for a traditional mortgage.
- Look into first-time homebuyer education classes.
- Ensure that the applicants have stable employment or that your total household income is within our income guidelines based on the family size.
- Pay rent on time every month for current housing situation, to demonstrate the ability to pay a mortgage on time in the future.
*Checklist can be viewed by clicking the button below. We recommend starting to gather these items in advance to the application window opening.
Application Checklist
When are applications available?
Applications are available each year beginning on July 1st and the complete application packet is due by August 31st.
What is the timeline after an applicant applies?
September: The Selection Committee then reviews the applications for completion, background checks, credit checks, and financial verifications are completed.
October: The committee holds Panel Interviews with the applicants that meet our income and credit requirements.
November-December: The committee reviews landlord references and employment verifications and completes a home visit with the applicants that continue to qualify for our program.
Mid-January: The final qualified applicants are presented to our Board of Directors for approval at the January meeting
Early February: The applicants are notified if they’ve been selected or denied.
Next Steps: The selected families begin partnering with us right away, but we won’t start the construction of their house until the following year’s build season, unless something shifts and their house can be built sooner.
(Ex. The applicants that apply in 2024 who are selected in February 2025, will have their house start construction during summer 2026.)
What are the qualifications?
Our Family Selection Committee uses 3 main criteria to determine if an applicant is qualified for our Homeownership Program:
- Housing Need
- Ability to Pay
- Willingness to Partner
Click the button below to view more information on our program requirements, including the current income guidelines.
How does the Habitat program work?
A hand UP, not a Hand OUT.
Habitat homes are NOT free. Every Habitat homeowner starts out as a homebuilder; contributing hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” by helping build other Habitat homes, working in our ReStore and other volunteer roles at Habitat, but mostly…helping to build their own home. They are also required to complete our awarded winning homeownership education program.
Once their home is built, they purchase the home from us through an affordable mortgage that is based on their income. Over the next 30 years, their payments will be “paid forward” and used to help sustain our mission and build future homes.
We can’t do it alone, however. Your gifts are needed today to help purchase building materials, feed our volunteers, and pay for subcontractors. Your donations will be matched by our future homeowners and their family as they “pay forward” their mortgage payments and help build future Habitat homes. Please help make it happen with a donation today.
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