HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Join the Homeownership Waitlist

Our homeownership application opens February 15- March 3 @3pm

Register for 1 Information Session

Our Program

We provide a hand-up, not a hand-out, by partnering with the families accepted into our program to help them become successful homeowners. Approved applicants will purchase a new or rehabilitated home with a zero-equivalent or low-interest 30-year home loan.

    • Applicant must live or work in DeKalb County for a minimum of one (1) year prior to applying
    • Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.

 

Disclaimer: If you sell your home before a certain date, based on your loan agreement, you will be required to split the equity in your home with Habitat.

Selection Criteria

The Habitat model uses three criteria to determine whether a family qualifies for our homeownership program:

  • Current housing is unsafe or overcrowded
  • Currently paying more than 35% of income for rent
  • Must be a first-time home buyer
  • You are unable to obtain an affordable mortgage through conventional means
  • Must complete 250 sweat equity hours. Sweat equity hours are earned by volunteering to build your home and other Habitat projects
  • Attend and pass all home owner education classes and workshops
  • Have a steady source of income
  • Have good credit history (based on your credit report, NOT your credit score)
    • Charged-off debts or collections are $2000 or less
    • Bankruptcies and/or evictions have been discharged for a minimum of two years at the time of application. If it was dismissed, you must have paid off all debts to the bankruptcy
  • Total household income must fall within the listed guidelines, adjusted for family size
  •  
View income guidelines

How do I become a Habitat homeowner?

1. Attend Information Session

  • Information about our program will be presented with opportunities to ask questions.
  • You will leave the session with a list of documents you need to gather in order to submit a complete application

 

Virtual

February 6, 2025 @7pm

February 10, 2025 @7pm

Register for 1 Information Session

2. Review Application

  • The pre-qualification and new home ownership applications must be completed truthfully, on time, and with all the requested information.
  • A sexual offender and criminal background check will be conducted. Employment and rental history will be verified.

3. Approval Confirmation

  • The qualified applicant will be presented to the Board of Directors who will make a final decision on a family’s acceptance into the program.
  • Once accepted into the Homeownership program, the process from acceptance through moving into a home can take 8(eight) months to 2(two) years, depending on available funding, construction schedules, and the future homeowner's progress of completing requirements
  • If approved – you will begin your partnership with Habitat DeKalb by completing classes, and begin working on your 250 sweat-equity hours

Link to application coming soon