1) Ability to Pay
Habitat homebuyers must have a steady source of income that is within income requirements for your household size. You must also maintain good credit. We run an initial credit report for qualification and also monitor credit quarterly while you work towards homeownership.
2) Demonstration of Need
If your housing situation includes one or more of the following examples, you may be eligible to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home.
- Substandard: Examples may include broken plumbing, faulty or unsafe electrical service, poor heating, deteriorating structure, or any other health and safety issue.
- Cost burdened: Rental payments are 35% or more of your total income.
- Overcrowded: If an adult and child, more than two children, or two children of the opposite sex share a bedroom.
3) Willingness to Partner
Willingness to partner is your household’s commitment to provide consistent, dedicated work to the Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity program. Examples include:
- Single applicants must complete a minimum of 200 sweat equity hours, 100 of which must be performed on a Habitat construction site.
- Dual applicants must complete a minimum of 300 sweat equity hours, 150 of which must be performed on a Habitat construction site.
- Homebuyers must attend financial literacy and other required educational classes.
- Homebuyers must meet with your volunteer coach at least once
per month.
- Homebuyers must provide proof of income and savings once a month.
- Homebuyers are required to provide $3,000 towards the closing costs of the home and will be expected to achieve this goal while completing program requirements.
- Homebuyers must make on time monthly home mortgage payments.
- Homebuyers must maintain and repair the home after occupancy.
***Homebuyers must acknowledge the implications of a highly publicized program. Homeowner should be prepared to share their story through in-person communications, area media (e.g., newspaper, radio, internet) and GRHFH publications (e.g., photos, videos, audio recordings) if requested. Note: not all projects will be publicized, and in extenuating circumstances when safety and privacy are a primary concern, GRHFH will work with the Partner(s) to determine what is appropriate to be made public.
