Habitat For Humanity Homeownership: The 9 Steps That Lead To It

Although it may seem like Habitat for Humanity gives away free homes with little fuss, that’s not the case.

Does the program make becoming a homeowner affordable? Sure, but there are costs involved and an application process you will need to complete before you can move in.

Here are the steps to Habitat for Humanity ownership in a nutshell, which can take approximately 4-18 months to complete:

1. Initial Screening

Before you officially jump into the entire application process, your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate will check to see if you’re a good fit for the program. They will do this through an initial screening form, which you may be able to complete online, depending on where you live.

How can you be a good fit for Habitat for Humanity? By a variety of factors, but mostly by filling the following requirements:

Showing a need for better housing than where you currently live.
A willingness to partner with Habitat by being able to pay an affordable mortgage and any housing costs on time, plus fulfilling the “sweat equity” requirement.

If you pass the initial screening, you then move on to the next step.

2. Completing the Homeownership Eligibility Application

A written application will be required. To complete it, you may need to have various pieces of information handy regarding your income, employment, members of your household, etc.

Depending on your affiliate, you may have to submit the application in-person to a program manager. Applications sent via mail or email may not be accepted.

3. Processing of Your Application and Background Checks

Habitat for Humanity will check to ensure that all of the information provided on your application is truthful and up to date. They will also perform background checks as a form of verification.

4. Home Visit

While completing your application is essential, so is a home visit where a member of the program will interview you.

5. Approval/Rejection of Your Application

Once your file is reviewed, and your home visit is complete, your local affiliate will make a decision to either accept or reject your application. If it is rejected, they will likely tell you why.

6. Sign the Partnership Agreement

Now is when you can start to feel the excitement that comes with being a future Habitat for Humanity homeowner. You will sign the partnership agreement, which will outline what’s expected of you.

7. Sweat Equity and Classes

Part of the requirement for being a Habitat homeowner includes providing sweat equity in the form of:

• Helping with construction.
• Administrative work.
• Attending classes.

In doing so, sweat equity achieves an important goal of the Habitat program, which emphasizes community and a feeling of accomplishment.

8. Paying Closing Costs

There will be closing costs associated with your home. Luckily, they are often much lower than local averages, which helps you become a homeowner without having to put down a ton of money in the process.

9. Getting the Keys to Your New Home

Many Habitat affiliates hold ceremonies once all the construction, paperwork, and payments are complete. This final step is the highlight of the entire process.