Qualifications
Are You Ready To Provide A Safe, Decent, Affordable Home For Your Family?
- Are you unable to obtain a conventional home loan?
- Is your current home overpriced, overcrowded, or in disrepair?
- Are you willing to help us build your new home?
- Are you able to make monthly mortgage and escrow payments?
- Do you meet the income limits listed for Brookings or Lake County?
If you meet any of these criteria or are interested in any of our services, please fill out the following form, email info@oahehabitat.org , or call 605-697-2540
- All family members' income is included in the calculation of a family's total gross income.
- Income from all wages, SSI, SSDI, food stamps, housing assistance, retirement, alimony, VA benefits, child support, etc are included.
- The guidelines are annual (to convert monthly income to annual income, multiply your monthly income amount by 12.)
- Income guidelines are listed by family size.
| # OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD | MINIMUM* | MAXIMUM* |
| 1 | $25,000 | $48,720 |
| 2 | $25,000 | $55,680 |
| 3 | $25,000 | $62,641 |
| 4 | $26,100 | $69,600 |
| 5 | $28,188 | $75,168 |
| 6 | $30,276 | $80,736 |
| 7 | $32,364 | $86,304 |
| 8 | $34,452 | $91,872 |
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*Income levels are set annually by US Department of Housing & Urban Development and are 30-80% of the median income. (Note: Minimum income limits have been adjusted to reflect the income required to afford the mortgage payment for the house size required for the family size.) Habitat financing is used for families earning 30-60% median income. Families earning between 60-80% median income must seek non-traditional financing. Please contact our qualified loan originator for more details. |
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- All family members' income is included in the calculation of a family's total gross income.
- Income from all wages, SSI, SSDI, food stamps, housing assistance, retirement, alimony, VA benefits, child support, etc are included.
- The guidelines are annual (to convert monthly income to annual income, multiply your monthly income amount by 12.)
- Income guidelines are listed by family size.
| # OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD | MINIMUM* | MAXIMUM* |
| 1 | $25,000 | $59,472 |
| 2 | $25,488 | $67,968 |
| 3 | $28,674 | $76,464 |
| 4 | $31,860 | $84,960 |
| 5 | $34,409 | $91,757 |
| 6 | $36,958 | $98,544 |
| 7 | $39,506 | $105,350 |
| 8 | $42,055 | $112,147 |
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*Income levels are set annually by US Department of Housing & Urban Development and are 30-80% of the median income. (Note: Minimum income limits have been adjusted to reflect the income required to afford the mortgage payment for the house size required for the family size.) Habitat financing is used for families earning 30-60% median income. Families earning between 60-80% median income must seek non-traditional financing. Please contact our qualified loan originator for more details. |
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- All family members' income is included in the calculation of a family's total gross income.
- Income from all wages, SSI, SSDI, food stamps, housing assistance, retirement, alimony, VA benefits, child support, etc are included.
- The guidelines are annual (to convert monthly income to annual income, multiply your monthly income amount by 12.)
- Income guidelines are listed by family size.
| # OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD | MINIMUM* | MAXIMUM* |
| 1 | $25,000 | $56,560 |
| 2 | $25,000 | $64,640 |
| 3 | $27,270 | $72,720 |
| 4 | $30,300 | $80,800 |
| 5 | $32,724 | $87,264 |
| 6 | $35,148 | $93,728 |
| 7 | $37,572 | $100,192 |
| 8 | $39,996 | $106,656 |
|
*Income levels are set annually by US Department of Housing & Urban Development and are 30-80% of the median income. (Note: Minimum income limits have been adjusted to reflect the income required to afford the mortgage payment for the house size required for the family size.) Habitat financing is used for families earning 30-60% median income. Families earning between 60-80% median income must seek non-traditional financing. Please contact our qualified loan originator for more details. |
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Determining A Housing Need
One of the qualifying factors for Habitat Homeowners is a requirement for a demonstrated need. Need is determined by a family's current living conditions. Some examples of need are outlined below (this list is not all-inclusive).
Structural/mechanical problems in building
Visible holes, large cracks, leaks, hazardous/toxic materials, electrical problems, plumbing problems, appliances not working
Inadequate sleeping arrangements
More than 2 people share a room, different gendered children sharing a room, people having to sleep on the floor
Unsanitary conditions or health risks
Bugs, rodents, sewage problems, stairways in disrepair, allergy concerns
Temporary or transitional housing
Family currently living with relatives, family in emergency shelter, homelessness
Current housing does not meet the physical needs
Lack of handicap accessible entry and fixtures
Unable to obtain a conventional mortgage
Additional Qualifications
Ability to Pay
The ability to pay is determined by information provided and collected during the application process.
Information on the paper application, pay stubs, benefit statements, previously filed federal tax returns, and credit reports are examples of the resources used to determine this ability.
Applicants must have:
- a steady, reliable source of income and demonstrate financial responsibility.
- the ability to pay a monthly house payment at approximately 25% of gross monthly income (taxes and insurance included).
- the ability to pay projected monthly utilities (electric/gas & water/sewer).
- NOT filed for bankruptcy within the past 2 years.
- NO outstanding collections, liens or judgments that cannot reasonably be paid by the completion of the home build.
Willingness to Partner
A partner family must be willing to complete "sweat-equity" hours.
"Sweat-equity" is when a partner family takes part in building their own home and other Habitat homes and may include activities such as clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, working in the Habitat office, or other approved activities.
- A two-adult household is required to perform a minimum of 500 hours.
- A single-adult family is required to complete 300 hours.
- A portion of the sweat equity hours can be completed by family and friends.
- All of the hours must be completed before the partner family can purchase the home.
In addition, the partner family must also be willing to attend homebuyer education classes.
Residency
All applicants must provide documentation of residency and eligibility to work in the US.
One of the following documents is accepted as proof of both residency and eligibility:
- US Passport
- Permanent Resident Card
- Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
- Foreign Passport with a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Document with a Photo ID (Form I-766)
- Unexpired Foreign Passport with Form I-94
- Passport from Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands with Form I-94 or Form I-94A indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the United States and the FSM or RMI.
If one of the above cannot be provided, one document from each category below is required:
Category 1
- Driver’s License
- Federal, State, or Local Government ID Card
- Voter’s Registration Card
- School ID card with a photograph
- Native American tribal document
- S. Military identification card/ Military Dependents ID card
- S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
- Canadian Driver’s License
Category 2
- Social Security Card
- S. Birth Certificate
- Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545)
- US Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
- Resident Citizen ID Card (Form I-179)
- Unexpired Employment Authorization by Dept. of Homeland Security
- Native American tribal document
- Certification of Report of Birth (Form DS-1350)
- Native American Tribal document
- Employment Authorization Document issued by the Dept. of Homeland Security