Homeownership Through Habitat for Humanity of Springfield

WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO SELECT AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY TO PARTNER WITH HABITAT AND BUY A HABITAT HOME?  You may be selected if you… 

 1) Are a Greene County, Missouri resident

 2) Have a need for a Habitat home:

  • Are a low-income family or individual (see income ranges below),
  • Currently live in substandard, overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe living conditions, or
  • Are paying excessive housing and/or utility costs, or
  • Are not eligible for a conventional bank loan

 3) Have the ability to pay a low-cost, no-interest house payment

  • Are able to pay $600 before closing to pay for the first year of homeowner’s insurance
  • Have had no bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last three years,
  • Have verifiable, reliable income sufficient to cover monthly house payments,
  • Do not have excessive monthly payments toward debt,
  • Have a reasonably “clean” credit report that shows a history of meeting financial obligations 

 4) Are willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity

  • Complete 300 (one-applicant) or 350 (two applicants) hours of Sweat Equity, including the 14-week Tools for Life education series, and post-closing Financial Fitness classes.
  • Communicate openly, honestly, and regularly with Habitat Springfield
  • Pledge to maintain and repair your home after purchase, and make house payments on time.

WHAT ARE THE INCOME GUIDELINES FOR ELIGIBILITY?

Guidelines for determining qualifying income in 2011 are indicated below. Applicants should receive income between 25% (the smaller number) and 50% (the larger number) of the HUD Median Income Limits for the Springfield area. However, the monthly house payment plus other fixed debt cannot exceed 40% of monthly income, so the low end of the range for 1 and 2 people has been adjusted upward based on the price of a two-bedroom house, and will be adjusted again if house prices increase*. 

The 2011 gross annual income range is listed below according to number of household members. The Income Limits are updated annually and may change before applications are taken in 2012.

1 person:  $11,400* to 19,150 
2 people:  $11,400* to 21,900
3 people:  $12,325 to 24,650
4 people:  $13,675 to 27,350
5 people:  $14,775 to 29,550
6 people:  $15,875 to 31,750
7 people:  $16,975 to 33,950
8 people:  $18,075 to 36,150
9 people:  $19,175 to 38,350
10 people:$20,275 to 40,550

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY:  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 now barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.