Homeownership FAQs
We are currently redesigning our homeownership program. Stay tuned for announcements coming soon! In the meantime, the information below is a general guideline.
Who qualifies for a Habitat home?
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Every Habitat home is an investment. For us, it is one answer to a critical need, and we believe that stronger homes will create stronger communities.
Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing.
Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes investing “sweat equity” helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our program. Sweat equity also includes taking homeownership classes or performing volunteer work in a Habitat ReStore. 250 hours are required for individual applicants, and 350 hours for joint applicants.
Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
Can anyone apply to be a Habitat homeowner?
Yes. Habitat does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, handicap, religion, national origin, marital status, familial status, or because a family’s income is derived wholly or in part from public assistance programs.
Habitat is always open to starting a conversation with motivated individuals and households interested in becoming Habitat homeowners.
How do you apply, and how long is the application process?
Applying is a multi-step process and begins with attending an applicant information meeting (AIM). Stay tuned for details and information about when these sessions will be available next. We require all interested parties to attend one of these sessions as it will help answer some initial questions. It is only after attendance at one of these meetings that you can proceed to the next step, which is how you receive an application.
How do I apply?
After completing the AIM, you are invited to download and complete a full application, which involves bank statements, utility bills, tax returns, etc. If an application is approved for the final steps in the process, we complete a home visit to fully assess your need for safe, affordable housing.
All complete applications are evaluated and responses are mailed within 30-days of being submitted.
Future homeowners accepted into the program can expect that it might take as many as 24 months before moving in to their new home.
Your application will be considered for a Habitat home if the following are true:
- Your current housing is inadequate and you are unable to obtain affordable, safe and stable housing through other conventional means. For example, this could mean not enough space, physical and or structural problems in your rental home, or that you are spending more than 30% of your income on housing.
- Your household income is within our income guidelines (these will be provided during the AIM)
- You have the ability to pay an affordable mortgage as determined by our underwriting process.
- You are willing to invest sweat equity and be a good partner with Habitat for the length of the mortgage terms.
- You live in New London or Windham Counties, or the six southeast towns in Tolland County that are in our service area.
- You and your family are citizens or permanent residents.
- If you have not owned a home in the past three years.
