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, family income (from all sources) must be at least $26,000, and must also fall within the 2008 NJ-COAH income guidelines based on Family size. 

Family Size

Minimum Income

Maximum Income

2

$26,000

$38,680

3

$26,109

$43,515

4

$29,010

$48,350

5

$31,331

$52,218

6

$33,652

$56,086

7

$35,972

$59,954

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.

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
  • Be willing to live in a racially integrated neighborhood
  • Give evidence of marital status (because of legal ramifications, we cannot sell to individuals separated from their spouses)
  • Attend Somerset County Coalition of Affordable Housing's (SCCOAH) excellent and free "Step by Step" seminar
     

Partner Families
Process
Resources