BECOME A HOMEOWNER
Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties believes everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. As a faith-based organization, we partner with qualified individuals and families to make homeownership possible through the purchase of simple, quality, affordable homes.
Habitat homeownership is designed to promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency. Homes are made affordable through volunteer labor, donated materials, and generous community support. In addition to purchasing their home, Habitat homeowners complete a comprehensive homeownership education program that prepares them for the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home.
A key part of the program is sweat equity; each future homeowner volunteers in building their home, assisting with other Habitat projects, and supporting the organization’s mission. Single-adult households complete a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity, while two-adult households complete a minimum of 400 hours. Homebuyers also commit to a modest down payment, assume responsibility for maintaining their home, and purchase it through a no-profit mortgage.
Habitat selects homebuyers using three core criteria:
- Qualifying Need
- Ability to Pay
- Willingness to Partner
Our Most Recent
HOMEBUILD
Piqua, Ohio
Qualifications for Homeownership
1. Qualifying Need
You must have a “qualifying” need. Your living situation may be inadequate due to safety concerns, poor maintenance by landlord, overcrowding, lack of disability access, excessive rent payment (more than 30% of your gross income), or other circumstances.
2. Ability to Pay
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage. Household income must fall between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Miami or Shelby Counties and be steady, reliable, documented, and generally consistent for at least the past two years. Applicants must also demonstrate a history of on-time rental payments for the past two years. In addition, total monthly debt obligations should typically not exceed 43% of household income, and applicants must not have any outstanding liens or judgments.
3. Willingness to Partner
Habitat homeownership is built on partnership. Selected applicants must demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties by completing their sweat equity, attending required homeownership education classes and mentoring, and serve as a positive representative and ambassador for Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties.
Apply for Homeownership
Our Homeownership Application window is currently CLOSED. For application information, call our office at 937.332.3763.
These are the 7 steps to becoming a Habitat homeowner. Please read below to get started on your journey towards homeownership! Steps are subject to change.
Complete Application
Complete a Homeownership Application form. Submit the completed application to the HFHMSCO’s office @ 150 E. Race St. Troy, OH 45373.
Ability to Pay
Our Family Selection Committee and Staff will then review your complete application and documents. If you do not meet our requirements at this time, we mail out a letter of notification.
Qualifying need
If your complete application and documents meet our initial requirements, we will conduct a home visit to determine your approval for our traditional homeownership program.
Partnership Agreement
Once approved you will receive a letter of notification and be asked to sign a Partnership Agreement.
Willingness to partner
You are then eligible to start earning sweat equity hours. Each family is required to contribute 250 hours for single adults and 400 hours for a two adult household of sweat equity, which consists of education, community service, and building your home. Education classes are held and cover topics such as finance, home maintenance, and interior design.
Journey to Homeownership
Your journey towards homeownership could be just a few months or up to two years depending on a range of factors. You will be asked to pay a minimum of $300 upon signing at the mortgage closing. This to cover closing costs and your first year of homeowner insurance.
Welcome Home
Make your house a home! After moving into your home, your monthly mortgage payments will begin. Mortgage loans are at 0% interest for a term of 20-30 years.
Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, OH provides equal housing opportunities for all, and ensures fair and equal access to its programs and services regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income, or other characteristics protected by law.