At Habitat, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Unfortunately, statistics tell us that one in four households in the U.S. pays more than 30% of their income for housing and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food or clothing. So, we have spent the past 30 years partnering with those who want to build better lives for themselves. We know, and have seen the data, that people thrive physically, mentally and financially when their home environment improves.
If you support our mission and now find yourself asking how you too can become a Habitat homeowner, please review the qualifications below. From both our perspective and yours, this process is a significant investment in people who can shape what is possible. Habitat homeownership is a foundation for a brighter future.
1. In need of better housing.
Potential homebuyers might be dealing with poorly built, unhealthy, damaged or inadequate housing. Alternatively, you might have a rent or mortgage that you cannot afford, or may be living in a home that is inaccessible for your disabilities.
2. Willing to partner with Habitat.
Our homebuyers put in 300 hours of “sweat equity,” which means they help build their own home and the homes of others in the Habitat for Humanity house building program, or volunteer at our Habitat ReStore. These prerequisite hours may also include classes in personal finances, home maintenance and other relevant topics to help ensure capability for the demands of owning a home.
3. Able to pay an affordable mortgage.
Habitat offers homebuyers an affordable mortgage. Those payments are then cycled back into the community to help build more affordable homes.
For a detailed list of qualifications, please visit our Application Requirements page. If you’ve read the above requirements and feel that you or someone you know is a good candidate for Habitat homeownership, please contact, please contact our Homeowner Services Coordinator, Mary Ouellette at mouellette@HabitatSouthSarasota.org.