The Homeownership Program

• The buyer must have lived or worked in New Hanover, Pender, or Duplin Counties for at least 1 year.
• The buyer of the house must be a citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S., or of legal immigration status guidelines.

There must be a demonstrated need for adequate housing, which includes one or more of the following:

• Displaced by a natural disaster, or otherwise impacted
• Housing expenses greater than 30% of income
• Unable to get a home loan from any other source
• Overcrowded or unsafe conditions
• Living in subsidized housing
• Substandard housing or nonpermanent residence, homeless

Turning in a Fully Complete Application

This includes all required supporting documents. Please review the checklist to ensure that you are submitting a complete application.

Partnership Hours

Help us build other homes and, eventually, your own! Partnership Hours are performed in various ways, but most significantly on the build sites. No construction experience is required! Other opportunities are available at our Restores, fundraisers, and community events. Work alongside volunteers 2-3 shifts per month, over a period of 18-24 months.

Prior to closing, a family with 2 adults must work 400 Partnership Hours & a family with 1 adult must work 250 Partnership Hours. (100 of these hours must be construction-related per adult). Friends and Family may help with a portion of your hours. Those with disabilities may have a custom Partnership Hours Plan designed, if necessary, with doctor’s input. We’ll find ways for you to be involved as much as possible that’s safe for you.

Homeownership Classes

Attendance is mandatory for all classes prior to closing.

Monthly Payments Toward Closing Costs Prior to Closing

By submitting affordable monthly payments towards closing costs while in our program, you will demonstrate your willingness to pay a monthly mortgage on time in the future. Realistic monthly goals will be discussed between the Future Homeowner and the Credit and Mortgage Counselor upon examination of monthly budget.

Monthly Financial Meetings

By attending regular monthly meetings with the Credit & Mortgage Counselor prior to closing, you will demonstrate a commitment to strengthening your financial readiness for home ownership.

Willingness to Live Where We Have Land

During the application process, we will discuss known locations that are not yet selected by future homeowners, giving you a sense of where we typically build. After your application is approved and you have demonstrated consistency in your partnership activities for a few months, you will be shown available land options. At that time, you will select a construction-ready property from our land inventory that meets your eligibility criteria, such as approved number of bedrooms, affordability, and loan type.

Representing Habitat

Our partner families support the community as a representative of Habitat. You will also be asked to meet and talk with volunteers, donors, and other future homeowners.

Homeownership Responsibilities

Habitat homeowners hold the same responsibilities as most any homeowner. You are expected to pay your mortgage on time, and you will be responsible for keeping your home maintained and repaired as needed. Monthly mortgage payments include principal payment, homeowner’s insurance premiums, property taxes, and other applicable items such as HOA dues, termite agreement, etc.

Mortgage Payments After Home Purchase

Your monthly mortgage payment will be set to no more than 30% of your gross monthly income at closing. Your payments will go back into our Revolving Fund to build more homes in partnership with more families!

Required Background Checks

Income

See income ranges in the chart below. Income amounts including wages, Social Security, Social Security disability, child support (optional), other forms of reported income, and all debt will be considered. These numbers are effective April 26th, 2024, and change every year.

Need to increase your income? Contact our partner StepUp Wilmington who offers join training and placement, as well as career development.

Debt

We will look at your debts in relation to your income to make sure you have enough left over to pay a Habitat mortgage without being cost-burdened. This includes credit card payments, car loans, and any other loans or obligations.

Credit

We are not looking for a particular credit score. We pull your credit to view your payment history.   If you don’t have a Credit Report, you will be asked to submit utility bills to demonstrate your payment history.