Homeownership
Every home is a building block for a bright future
Alachua Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program provides families with low income who would not otherwise qualify for a traditional mortgage the opportunity to become homeowners. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers, and pay an affordable mortgage. Before dedicating 200 hours to the construction of their own home, Habitat homeowners commit 50 hours of sweat equity by helping build another Habitat homeowner’s house. All homeowners complete a series of workshops, which are designed to empower families to become successful homeowners.
Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:
| # People in Household | Minimum income per month | Maximum income per month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2223 | $4450 |
| 2 | $2543 | $5083 |
| 3 | $2860 | $5721 |
| 4 | $3177 | $6354 |
| 5 | $3433 | $6863 |
| 6 | $3687 | $7371 |
In order to qualify as a Habitat Homeowner candidate, applicants must:
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and live in Alachua County for at least twelve (12) months.
Not currently own a home.
Demonstrate that your household is cost-burdened or that your current housing situation is unsafe, inadequate for
your family’s needs, overcrowded, temporary, or in a high-crime area.
Have a debt/income ratio of 43% or lower. The debt/income ratio is calculated by totaling all of your monthly bills and
dividing by your total income. We recommend you visit www.freeannualcreditreport.com to review your credit before
applying. The housing payment can't exceed 30% of your gross monthly income.Have no bankruptcy filings within the past four (4) years.
Have a stable source of monthly income for one (1) year.
Give permission to run credit, criminal, & sexual offender background checks.
Be willing to give fifty (50) hours helping build the homes of others, and 200 hours towards the construction of your home.
Have a total GROSS household income between the amounts included in the chart above, according to the size of your household.
You may count income from wages, social security (SSI, disability, pension), child support, and Veteran pension.
If you do not meet all of the above criteria, or if the income for your family’s size does not fall between the minimum and maximum numbers, you are not eligible for a Habitat home at this time. If you have any questions, please contact our Family Services department at 352-363-6493.
Steps to homeownership
Each of the four steps in our homeownership program is explained below. Please note that you are required to maintain a debt/income ratio of 43% or lower and meet a minimum 40% average medium income throughout the duration of the program, in which your application will be recertified at each step. You will also be required to notify our Family Services department as soon as possible when there are changes in your phone numbers (cell, home, and work), address, financial, marital status, household size or employment throughout the program. Future Habitat homeowners are also required to participate in 12 educational workshops and attend an eight (8) hour Home Buyer's Education class prior to closing. Each Habitat homeowner pays $1,000 as a down payment, which is paid in four installments of $250. The four $250 installments are paid at the beginning of each step. Payments are nonrefundable and we do not accept cash.
Step 1
Pay your first $250 installment and sign the Step 1 agreement
Attend pre-purchase counseling within 30 days of signing the First Step Agreement and take the required educational workshops as they are offered
Start working on your 250 hours of sweat equity
50 hours building another Habitat homeowner’s house, which must be completed within one year of signing the Step 1 agreement
200 hours building your home
Sweat equity hours are NOT reimbursed as an hourly wage if a homeowner or Habitat terminates a partnership
Re-certification of your finances and ability to pay
You will be shown properties and house designs for lots that are scheduled to be built in the upcoming year. We understand that choosing a place to build your home is a big decision. If you pass on the available property it will be offered to the next family on the list. You will need to submit a new application and requalify for a mortgage the following year. You will retain your sweat equity hours for one year.
Co-applicants are permitted to count both of your hours towards the 50-hour requirement.
Step 2
Reaching Step 2 indicates that you have completed your first 50 sweat equity hours
Re-certification of your finances and ability to pay
Pay your second $250 installment and sign the Step 2 agreement
You must continue to participate in the required homeowner workshops
Certify for a mortgage
Sign a construction agreement
Step 3
Pay your third $250 installment and sign the Step 3 agreement
Re-certification of your finances and ability to pay
Register for the Home Buyer's Education class within 30 days. It is required to attend the Home Buyer's Education class before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued
Construction begins!
You and the co-applicant (if applicable) must be on site every Saturday to work beside volunteers and Habitat staff on your house
During this period, you will choose exterior paint color, front door paint color, vinyl flooring, and counter tops from the options provided
Step 4
Pay your final $250 installment and sign the Step 4 agreement
Re-certification of your finances and ability to pay
Verification of your final 200 sweat equity hours and your presence at your home build site every Saturday while your home was being constructed
Confirmation of required workshop attendance and certification of Home Buyer Education
Receive "Caring for Your Home" manual
You will choose a homeowner's insurance policy
Attend final walk-through with Director of Construction
Schedule electric service to be turned on at your new address
Attend Loan estimate and meeting to sign DPA documents
Certificate of Occupancy issued
Assist with Home Dedication and attend closing
Once the closing and the home dedication have taken place, you and your family move into your very own home! If you have any questions, please contact our Family Services department at 352-363-6493.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can see our build site safety manual here.
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Interested families or individuals submit an application to our Family Services department. Applications are examined for demonstrated need for housing, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner with Alachua Habitat. Applications are available at Home Ownership Orientations (HOOs) which all applicants are required to attend. Alachua Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, family status, or because all or any part of income is derived from any public assistance program.
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No! We partner with business sponsors and our volunteers to build our houses. Once a house is complete, the Habitat homeowner purchases the house with a zero-interest or zero-equivalent interest mortgage with affordable monthly payments. Habitat homeowners then pay it forward through their mortgage payments by helping fund Habitat houses for future homeowners in Alachua County.
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The monthly mortgage payment varies depending on the value of each house once it's complete and each homeowner’s income.
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No, but you must have a steady income and meet the household minimum requirements as outlined in the eligibility section. Qualifying income includes (but is not limited to): wages, child support, alimony, SSI, SSA, Veteran pension, and retirement benefits.
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Yes! Single as well as married individuals can apply, and you do not need to have children to qualify.
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You are eligible to apply if you own your own business. You will need to provide your complete income tax records for the previous two years, which will be evaluated to ensure that you meet the minimum and do not exceed the maximum income for your household size.
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Yes. If your application is denied, we will provide referrals and information on what steps you can take to gain eligibility and to reapply.
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Yes, unfortunately we have. Homeowners are expected to make on-time monthly mortgage payments. Your payments are important because they help fund homes for future Habitat homeowners.
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Sweat Equity is the time and effort you contribute toward the purchase of your home through the construction of others' homes as well as your own. Following approval of the selection committee, you must complete the required number of sweat equity hours, but more important than the number of hours, is your consistent and active participation on the job site. Sweat equity also includes participating in required homeowner education workshops.
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We do not require any previous skills or knowledge. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which you work with your family, friends, and community to build other peoples' homes as well as your own. Working alongside volunteers and future neighbors to build your home and community is one of the most unique, empowering, and rewarding aspects of Habitat for Humanity.
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Contact our Family Services department at 352-363-6493.
How To Apply
IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, we are not accepting applications.
Please start by reviewing the eligibility requirements outlined under the "Eligibility" tab. Ensure that you meet all the guidelines before proceeding.
Please review the income requirements under the Eligibility tab and determine that you fall within these limits.
Determining your eligibility for our homeownership program is based on your GROSS (before deductions) income and the number of individuals who will be residing in the home. To check if you meet the income criteria, refer to the table provided under the "Eligibility" tab. Find the number of people in your household and locate the corresponding minimum and maximum income figures. Your monthly income should fall within these limits.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to reach out to us at 352-363-6493. We look forward to working with you on your journey to homeownership.
Equal Housing Opportunity
Alachua Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, family status, or because all or any part of income is derived from any public assistance program.