Transforming Lives Through Homeownership
WHO CAN QUALIFY FOR A HABITAT HOME?
Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island applicants are chosen using the four basic selection criteria: Housing Need, Ability to Pay, Willingness to Partner and Access to Land. Habitat does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, familial status, handicap or national origin. Habitat requires potential homeowners to reside and work on Hawaii Island. We also do a background check for any criminal behavior including but not limited to the use of illegal substances.
Housing Need: Habitat assists people who do not own a home and are living in “substandard” housing. (Substandard means that the current housing is unsafe, unhealthy, too small, or costly for the applicant’s income.) For example, overcrowding (three to a bedroom), unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Priority is based on the level of need and lack of adequate shelter as well as those families with small children and seniors.
Ability to Pay: Habitat homebuyers must have a stable income and a reasonable credit history, with no outstanding judgments. They must also have adequate income to cover taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance expenses as well as the mortgage payment. We partner with families with gross earnings between 30% and 80% of current US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) median income. We will request verification of your financial information in the next phase of the application process. We take into consideration income for everyone in the household.
Willingness to Partner: Partnership includes completing approved pre and post sweat equity hours (500+ hours for a new house), agreeing to the house that Habitat is able to provide inclusive of design, type, style, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc., making timely payments, adequately maintaining the home and cooperating so that the house can be completed in a timely manner from the start date.
Access to Land: Currently, Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island encourages families who own their own land (have clean title) free and clear of any mortgage or have a long-term lease (minimum of 30 years remaining) in their name on their land to apply. Applicants must have a history of paying debts and living up to obligations. A credit report, income and expense verifying documentation shall be obtained or submitted during the qualifying process and again prior to the family moving into the home. They must also have the financial resources to pay a down payment which is to pay the required home insurance and real property tax one year in advance. Applicants must be able to make monthly loan, property tax and insurance payments by the assigned due date.
Habitat wants its homeowners to be involved partners, sharing their story throughout the build process and long after they purchase their home. Most homeowners are encouraged to continue to serve on committees and volunteer to help others to become homeowners in the future.
These are the basic criteria. More detailed information is shared with the families during the application process and is subject to change.
Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island applicants are chosen using the four basic selection criteria: Housing Need, Ability to Pay, Willingness to Partner and Access to Land. Habitat does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, familial status, handicap or national origin. Habitat requires potential homeowners to reside and work on Hawaii Island. We also do a background check for any criminal behavior including but not limited to the use of illegal substances.
Housing Need: Habitat assists people who do not own a home and are living in “substandard” housing. (Substandard means that the current housing is unsafe, unhealthy, too small, or costly for the applicant’s income.) For example, overcrowding (three to a bedroom), unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Priority is based on the level of need and lack of adequate shelter as well as those families with small children and seniors.
Ability to Pay: Habitat homebuyers must have a stable income and a reasonable credit history, with no outstanding judgments. They must also have adequate income to cover taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance expenses as well as the mortgage payment. We partner with families with gross earnings between 30% and 80% of current US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) median income. We will request verification of your financial information in the next phase of the application process. We take into consideration income for everyone in the household.
Willingness to Partner: Partnership includes completing approved pre and post sweat equity hours (500+ hours for a new house), agreeing to the house that Habitat is able to provide inclusive of design, type, style, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc., making timely payments, adequately maintaining the home and cooperating so that the house can be completed in a timely manner from the start date.
Access to Land: Currently, Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island encourages families who own their own land (have clean title) free and clear of any mortgage or have a long-term lease (minimum of 30 years remaining) in their name on their land to apply. Applicants must have a history of paying debts and living up to obligations. A credit report, income and expense verifying documentation shall be obtained or submitted during the qualifying process and again prior to the family moving into the home. They must also have the financial resources to pay a down payment which is to pay the required home insurance and real property tax one year in advance. Applicants must be able to make monthly loan, property tax and insurance payments by the assigned due date.
Habitat wants its homeowners to be involved partners, sharing their story throughout the build process and long after they purchase their home. Most homeowners are encouraged to continue to serve on committees and volunteer to help others to become homeowners in the future.
These are the basic criteria. More detailed information is shared with the families during the application process and is subject to change.
2024 INCOME LEVELS
% OF MEDIAN PERSONS IN FAMILY
INCOME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
30% $23,280 $26,610 $29,940 $33,240 $35,910 $38,580 $41,220 $43,890
50% $38,800 $44,350 $49,900 $55,400 $59,850 $64,300 $68,700 $73,150
80% $62,080 $70,960 $79,840 $88,640 $95,760 $102,880 $109,920 $117,040
SOURCE: US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & URBAN DEVELOPMENT
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