Apply to Become a Homeowner

Habitat Homeownership Process

Hoping to own a home? Habitat provides you with the support to be successful in your Habitat home-buying journey. We can help you buy a home you love with a mortgage you can afford.

Step 1: Review our Program Qualifications

Qualifications

To be eligible for Habitat's Homeownership Program, you must be:

Able to Pay an Affordable Mortgage

Have a stable income that falls within the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Income Guidelines (review the HUD income guidelines chart). Must show proof of employment for the past two years. Income can include child support, alimony, disability, and SSI.
Have the ability to save a minimum of $50 each month.

Willing to Partner

Our homebuyers must put in 250 sweat-equity hours, helping to build their own home and the homes of others in the homeownership program, and volunteer at the ReStore.
Attend financial and homeownership education classes.
Be willing to accept a lot for construction from one Habitat has available.

Show a Need for Adequate Housing (Some examples of need listed below)

Living in overcrowded housing conditions.
Structural/mechanical problems in the home.
unhealthy, unsanitary conditions, or health risks.
Unaffordable rent exceeds a third of monthly household income.
Temporary housing such as living with family or friends.

Applicants must also:

Have legal U.S. Residency status.
Have resided or worked in Elkhart County the previous year.

* Criminal history does not automatically disqualify applicants from this program.

Step 2: Required Qualifications

Step 3: Watch Video

You will receive an email from Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County with a link to watch a video (check your junk email). You must watch the video in its entirety. Once you have watched the video, you can download the application. The application link will be in the same email as the video link.

Step 4: Application

You will be asked to download and print the application in order to complete it. DO NOT TRY TO FILL IN THE PDF APPLICATION ONLINE.

Next, call our office at 574-533-6109 to schedule a meeting with our Family Services team. Our team will accept applications beginning Wednesday, September 16th at 12 noon and closing on Wednesday, September 30th at noon. You must schedule an appointment to submit your application.

You will need to bring copies of the following to your appointment:

Last 2 months of pay stubs (applicant and co-applicant, if applicable).
Last 6 months of bank statements. Printouts from online banking are acceptable.
Last 12 months of rental receipts or rental ledger.
Divorce Decree, if applicable.
Proof of Bankruptcy discharge, if applicable.
Most recent utility bills (unless included in rent).
Driver's license and Social Security Card, or Proof of U.S. residency.
Birth Certificate and Social Security Cards for ALL family members.
Verification of Social Security/Disability if applicable.
Verification of Student Loan Payment/Status (even if in forbearance).
Verification of Food Stamps/TANF/AFDC.
Verification of child support income, if claiming.
Last 3 years of W-2s and Declaration of Electronic Filing page.
Last 3 years of Federal Tax Transcripts - available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript or by calling
1-800-829-1040 (takes 5-10 days).