Become A Homeowner
For information on how to qualify for a Habitat home, please continue reading below.
We believe everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home. To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction and finally when the keys are handed over. By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance, and much more.
Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time, and dedication. This helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
HOW TO QUALIFY FOR A HABITAT HOME
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Every Habitat home is an investment.
- Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing. Need will vary from community to community.
- Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Sweat equity can also include taking homeownership classes or performing volunteer work in a Habitat ReStore.
- Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
Can anyone apply to be a Habitat homeowner?
Yes. Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy of homebuyer selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor. However, in order to qualify for the Homeownership program, you must:
- Be a first-time home buyer
- Be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States
- Be a resident of either Nueces County or San Patricio County for
the past 6 months - Your income must fall between 40-80% of the Median Income
Requirements developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development’s Office (HUD). - Meet credit guidelines – payment history is considered but not
actual credit score - Be able to open a bank account
- Not have an asset in your name, such as land
- Be willing to participate in the “Sweaty-Equity” program
What is the process of becoming a Habitat homeowner?
1. THE APPLICATION:
You can pick up an application in person, download it from our website, or attend an Information Session (to be announced)
2. Complete the application and gather your Required Documents:
(additional documents may be requested)
– Payroll stubs for the past 30 days
– Bank Statements from the past six months
– Retirement Benefits Letter
– Copy of TX Driver’s License/State ID
– Copy of Social Security Card(s)
– Previous two years’ Income Tax Returns along with corresponding W2s or 1099s
*Any co-applicants must be present at time of application and must bring any separate documentation.
*Additional documents may be requested, based on your application (if applicable)
3. Call (361) 289-1740 -or- e-mail info@habitatcorpus.org to schedule an appointment to go over your Documentation. Please bring $50-$100* for initial processing.
* $50 for single applicant
* $100 if you will be applying with a co-applicant
4. HFH Reviews Application
A staff member will review your application and pull a tri-merge credit report. If you meet the qualifications, your application will continue through the process.
5. Application Components are Finalized
Any outstanding documentation will be collected by a staff member.
A background check will be conducted. At the Appropriate time, the application will be distributed to the Family Selection Committee.
6. Family Selection Committee Home Visit
A member of the Family Selection Committee will contact you to set up a visit to conduct an interview of you and your family at your current residence. After the interview, a determination will be made about your application by the Habitat Board of Directors
7. Decision is Made
If approved, you will start your Habitat partnership – attend an orientation and other Homeowner classes and begin working on your sweat equity hours!
Current Income Guidelines
2024 Median Income is $75,300. Your income must fall between 40-80% of the Median Income Requirements developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office (HUD)
