Homeowners

CRITERIA

The Habitat program is designed for low-income families who are committed to building a better place to raise their families. Becoming a Habitat homeowner is not a solution for families facing a housing crisis that involves finding a new place to live right away. (Anyone in this situation is urged to contact their local municipality or dial 2-1-1 for a referral.)

A potential Habitat homeowner is:

• Currently and for the prior year either living or working in Hunterdon, Somerset, or one of the adjacent counties (Bucks, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Union, and Warren)

• Currently living in inadequate housing or paying rent that is too high

• Unable to obtain a regular bank mortgage or qualify for other available housing programs

• Able to afford payment of utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance expenses and the repayment of the interest-free mortgage

To qualify for the Kingwood Project, your family income must be between these minimum and maximum levels, based on the number of people in the family:

____________________________

To qualify for the Lambertville home, your family income must be between these minimum and maximum levels, based on the number of people in the family:

Family Size   Minimum       Maximum
2                     $33,567         $41,440
3                     $33,567*        $46,620
4                     $33,567*        $51,800
5                     $33,567*        $55,944
6**                   $36,054*        $60,088

In selecting families, Habitat does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, national origin, or family status.

* Minimum income level is higher than NJ-DCA guidelines to ensure RVHFH homeowners have enough income to meet expected financial obligations and meet the certification requirements of funding sources for the homes.

** Depending on family configuration, the 3 bedroom home may not be sufficient for a family of 6. Housing rules prohibit an adult and a child or a boy and a girl from occupying the same bedroom.

The Basic Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be willing to work on their own home and the homes of others in the Habitat community (this work is called “Sweat Equity”)
• Complete their Sweat Equity requirement before they can purchase the house
• For a two-adult family, contribute 500 hours of Sweat Equity (a maximum of 200 hours of this work could be done by friends or relatives)
• Or, for a one-adult family, contribute 250 hours of Sweat Equity (a maximum of 100 hours of this work could be done by friends or relatives)
• Prove that they have sufficient income to cover the repayment of the mortgage and all living expenses
• Give evidence of marital status (because of legal ramifications, we cannot sell to individuals separated from their spouses)
• Attend Central Jersey Housing Resource Center (CJHRC) excellent and free "Step by Step" seminar
   

Partner Families
Process
Resources