Homeownership
Qualifications for Homeownership
We select eligible homeowners based on three qualifications.
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
You must demonstrate your ability to afford a repayment plan. Your income must be within 30% - 60% of the Average Median Income (AMI) for Miami or Shelby Counties. Your income must be steady, reliable, and documented. Your collection debts normally cannot be more than 43% of your income. You cannot have any outstanding liens or judgments. Collection debts cannot be more than $5,000.
3. Willingness to Partner
Complete 400 sweat equity hours which includes attendance at required education meetings, financial management courses and participating in the home building process. You must accept a home location where we are building or rehabbing. You must be a positive ambassador for Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, OH.
Apply for Homeownership
Our Homeownership Application window for 2024 is now CLOSED. Please check back frequently for information regarding the next application window.
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.
1
Complete a Homeowners Application form. Submit the completed application to the HFHMSCO’s office @ 150 E. Race St. Troy, OH 45373.
2
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.
3
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.
4
Once approved you will receive a letter of notification and be asked to sign a Partnership Agreement.
5
You are then eligible to start earning sweat equity hours. Each family is required to contribute at least 400 hours 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.
6
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.
7
Make your house a home! After moving into your home, your monthly mortgage payments will begin. Our average homeowner pays $450 monthly for a 20 year interest free mortgage.
A Means to Self-Sufficiency
Habitat for Humanity of Miami and Shelby Counties, OH is ministry faith-based organization that provides low-income individuals and families the life-changing opportunity to purchase and own simple, quality, affordable homes. HFHMSCO offers an opportunity for self-sufficiency, by providing a once in a lifetime opportunity to build a long-term investment for your future.
Habitat homes are affordable thanks to volunteer labor and community support. Selected Habitat homeowners pay a modest down payment, invest up to 400 hours of "Sweat Equity" in the construction of their home and are responsible for monthly mortgage payments and upkeep.
In addition, HFHMSCO prepares Habitat Homeowners to be successful through a comprehensive homeownership education program. Habitat Homeowners must meet our qualifications. If you are interested in becoming a homeowner, please see our How to Qualify section for more information on our qualifications.
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.
Bridget Lawson standing on her porch during construction.
The Homeowner's Perspective
Watch the three-part video series on building a habitat home from the perspective of the homeowner in Jackson Center, Ohio.
Homeownership FAQ's
No, but if you meet the criteria and are accepted into the Homeownership Program, you will purchase a home with a 0% interest mortgage. The length of the mortgage can vary from 15-30 years depending on the house price and your family income. Depending on the home selected, monthly payments (including taxes and insurance) are normally between $450 to $600.
All our homes are simple, decent and affordable homes for you and your family. Most homes are built new as 3, 4, or 5 bedrooms depending on your family size. Others may be renovated / recycled to current local code. If needed, homes can be built or renovated (when possible) to ADA standards.
All homes (new, renovated or recycled) are in Miami or Shelby Counties.
The application process can take up to a few months (partly dependent on you) and then, if approved for the program, it takes least 12-18 months to purchase a home. The completion of your home will depend on the overall construction schedule and other variables including funding sources, building requirements, and whether it is a new build or rehab of an existing home.
Yes. Once the application is filled out the Family Services Committee will review your ability to pay, and pull credit, criminal and sex offender checks as part of the vetting process.
Once approved for the program, each future homeowner will be required to completed 400 sweat equity hours (volunteer hours) prior to closing on their house. As part of Sweat Equity, future homeowners attend required monthly education meetings and communicate twice a month with a Support Partner who is a volunteer who helps each future homeowner through the program.
We also ask future homeowners to demonstrate a Willingness to Partner. This includes advocating for Habitat for Humanity and decent housing, fulfilling requirements, and communicating any changes in your life (job, family, health) to us in a timely way.
Sweat Equity is the way that you partner with us and work alongside team members and volunteers. Each future homeowner must complete 400 volunteer sweat equity hours. Friends and family may help work some of these hours.
Sweat Equity is completed primarily through:
- Volunteer hours on construction sites, especially on your future home
- Volunteer hours in the office and at the ReStore
- Required educational classes that provide information about the responsibilities of homeownership, home maintenance, and mortgage documents
- Required financial management class
- Attendance at Home Blessings and Home Dedications for your home as well as for other Future Homeowners