Investing in Habitat Homeownership

We are finished taking applications for 2011.

 Go to Apply for a House for more information. 

Partnering with Habitat on a home is not a handout; rather, it is an investment in each family's or individual's future. Every Habitat partner is required to purchase their Habitat home for the value of materials used to build it. A chosen partner must have a steady and verifiable income and must be able to pay $500 before closing for the first year of homeowner’s insurance.

 Habitat homeownership is a significant investment. Habitat for Humanity of Springfield works hard to ensure that investment does not become an unbearable burden for partner families. If your family is selected to purchase a Habitat Springfield home, we’ll work with you to make the process as easy as possible.

What if I am selected?

You would start working to earn the required 300-350 sweat equity hours, including attending the Tools for Life homeowner education classes. The classes and sweat equity prepare you for a successful transition to homeownership by building pride of ownership, developing knowledge and skills, and instilling a sense of community.

In addition to the sweat equity hours earned in classes, partners must complete pre-build hours at the ReStore or on other eligible tasks before we start work on their house, and eventually must earn hours working on their own home. Friends and family members are allowed to earn up to 75 hours of the Partner's total. In assigning tasks that earn sweat equity, Habitat staff take into consideration the abilities and availability of the partners, and are accustomed to working with partners with disabilities or who are juggling work, school, and family needs.

As you earn your sweat equity hours, we will prepare to work with you to build or renovate a home that fits your family.

Part of working with Habitat is understanding that Habitat Springfield is not a custom builder - we build or renovate, simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with you - our partner family. When the house is complete and we sell it to you, we sell it to you at a low cost - for just the cost of materials and professional services. The loan we provide for the cost of the house does not charge interest, so the monthly house payment, including property taxes and homeowners insurance, is more affordable than a conventional mortgage. 

What if I am not selected?

If you are not selected, we will tell you why, and offer resources and help that could increase your chance of being selected if you apply again during the next cycle. You will also be invited to attend the Tools for Life classes. You may want to investigate what other resources are available to you in the community, such as those listed under Alternative Resources.

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.