Becoming a Habitat Homeowner
The Habitat Homebuyer Program consists of sweat equity, educational classes, and community service — all designed to prepare you for homeownership.
Helping build Habitat homes, monthly budgeting/reporting, and homeowner education classes (including financial literacy, home safety, and home maintenance) will make you confident in your ability to maintain your home for years to come.
Eligibility to purchase a Habitat home is based on the three qualifications listed below.
Helping build Habitat homes, monthly budgeting/reporting, and homeowner education classes (including financial literacy, home safety, and home maintenance) will make you confident in your ability to maintain your home for years to come.
Eligibility to purchase a Habitat home is based on the three qualifications listed below.
Qualifications for Homebuyer Program
Ability to Pay
1) 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.
1) 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.
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:
***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.
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:
- Homebuyers must complete at least 300 hours of sweat equity.
- 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 must save a minimum of $75 each month towards the $2,300 down payment and closing cost requirement.
- 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.
Our Homeward Bound program is the first step for anyone who does not currently meet all of the requirements for our Homebuyer Program. With the help of partnering agencies, we will develop a plan with you that will get you on the path to homeownership.
Homeward Bound participants are able to start educational classes, track and improve their credit score, and get paired with a volunteer homebuyer coach.
All efforts that are completed during Homeward Bound are transferable towards Homebuyer Program requirements.
Homeward Bound participants are able to start educational classes, track and improve their credit score, and get paired with a volunteer homebuyer coach.
All efforts that are completed during Homeward Bound are transferable towards Homebuyer Program requirements.
