Home Ownership
Program
Home ownership can be life changing – offering a safe and stable place to build equity every month instead of writing a rent check. Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley partners with potential homeowners to build a new life for themselves through decent, affordable homeownership.
Newly renovated, energy-efficient Habitat homes are sold to those who qualify and are approved for our program. Prospective home buyers who partner with Habitat are community-minded residents who are looking for the stability of homeownership.
We renovate empty houses with community partners and sponsors and then turn them into homes by offering an affordable mortgage to our prospective home buyers. Ultimately, we build much more than houses – the impact of homeownership is profound and lasting. It’s a program that works!
Qualifications
Applicants are chosen on their need for housing, willingness to partner and ability to pay a Habitat mortgage as well as meeting residency and income guidelines:
1. Demonstrate a need for decent, affordable housing, for example:
You are unable to acquire affordable and decent homeownership through other means
Your current housing is overcrowded
Your neighborhood is unsafe
Your current home has unsafe living conditions
2. Willingness to partner with Habitat
Each homebuyer must contribute sweat equity hours, which may include helping with construction renovation and attending classes and/or meetings
Every applicant will attend virtual classes over Zoom with our financial education partner, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan
3. Ability to pay the monthly mortgage
Pre-qualify for the minimum mortgage amount necessary to purchase a property in our inventory
See the income guidelines and credit standards below
4. Residency
U.S. Citizenship, permanent residency status, or eligible immigration status
Must live or work in Washtenaw County
5. Not currently own a home, have a mortgage or have your name on a mortgage
6. Two years must have passed since any bankruptcy was discharged
Income Guidelines and Credit Standards
Applicants must meet the following income guidelines:
2023 Guidelines for Housing Income
Eligibility
| Family Size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Annual Income | $66,300 | $75,750 | $85,200 | $94,650 | $102,250 | $109,800 | $117,400 | $124,950 |
Credit Standards
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley does not require perfect credit. We consider applicants who demonstrate the ability to make regular payments on their bills. Any collections, past due accounts, judgments, or liens must be addressed. Applicants with negative items on their credit reports will be denied. We can refer you to partner agencies to address credit concerns.
Down Payment
Accepted applicants are also required to make a minimum $1,000 down payment prior to the closing of the mortgage.
Application Process
Step 1: Attend an Application Meeting
Click here to register for our next Home Ownership Program Informational Meeting on Monday, April 29 at 5:30 PM via Zoom. Login information will be emailed prior to the meeting. Please contact Elena at elena@h4h.org or 734-925-7839 at any time to receive an application. Click here to view homes currently accepting applications
Step 2. Complete Program Application
At the application meeting, Habitat will provide information on how to receive an application. The Application Process also includes:
Credit Check
Sexual Offender Background Check
Verification of Rental History
Verification of Income & Assets
Mortgage prequalification with a partner lender
Partner Selection Committee Review for Board Approval
Step 3: Board of Directors Approval
Board meets monthly to approve prospective homebuyers to the Home Ownership Program.
After Approval
Complete Sweat Equity Hours
Each adult homebuyer must complete sweat equity hours that can include helping with construction renovation, working at the ReStore or attending classes and/or meetings.
The Power of Homeownership
Habitat Homeownership has lasting impacts on families and individuals. Click here to hear from our homeowners about how owning their own home has improved their life, years after closing on their Habitat home.
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley Complaint Procedure
Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley Fair Housing Complaint Procedure
Other resources
United Way of Washtenaw County offers a 2-1-1 helpline to assist with food, housing, financial assistance, utility assistance and more. Click here to connect or learn more.
Equal Housing Opportunity Statement: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, physical or mental limitation, height, weight, marital status, family responsibilities, educational association, condition of pregnancy, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV Status, or other legally protected characteristics.