Habitat for Humanity Home Ownership

Habitat for Humanity does not give away homes. Habitat partners with hard-working families who desire to invest in their family's future. Each Habitat Partner Family works 500 hours of sweat equity and signs a mortgage agreeing to pay for the full price of their Habitat home with a 30-year, interest free loan. 

Are you interested in a Habitat Home?

Do you have...  a need to improve housing and the ability to pay a mortgage? 

Are you... ...willing to partner with Habitat to improve your family's life and ...willing to make a long-term commitment to your family?  Are you willing to put forth the time and energy to be successful to improve your housing situation?  Will you assist other Habitat homeowners in building community?  Most importantly, are you willing to help yourself?
Basic Eligibility

  • Have you lived in Lake County for the last 24 months?
  • Is your current housing situation inadequate or unsafe?
  • Are you a legal U.S. resident?
  • Do you meet the annual income guidelines (depending on family size) as set forth in the attached sheet?
  • Would accept Habitat House in Waukegan, Zion or North Chicago?
  • Are you willing to complete 500 hours of Sweat Equity (building, classes, ReStore)?
Income Requirements

 

  • Does your family's income fall in the range based on HUD guidelines? See attached a recent 2019 Spring Applicant Meeting sheet
  • Do you make a sufficient amount of income to meet covers your household expenses?
  • Is your current debt situation manageable?
  • If you have ever declared bankruptcy, has your bankruptcy been discharged at least two years ago?

 

 
Are you willing to partner with Habitat?

  • Are you willing to complete application process?
  • Are you willng to work a minimum of 500 hours of "sweat equity" on yours or others' houses, at Habitat ReStore, at the HFH office?
  • Will you attend all required partner family educational meetings?
  • Are you willing to participate in budget counseling by a professional budget counselor?
  • Are you willing to build community with Habitat and other Habitat Partner Family's?
Steps to begin the process to apply for a Habitat Home
  • Call the Habitat office at 847-623-1020
  • Attend one Home Buyer Informational Meeting to learn about the Habitat program and receive an application
  • Return application to Habitat by due date
  • Submit documents and references as requested
  • Check our calendar for upcoming dates of Homebuyer Application meetings

 

 
Partner Family Resources

Application Process Checklist

  • Completed and signed application (application provided at Homebuyer Informational Meetings)
  • Credit Report Authorization
  • Current pay stubs
  • Proof of any other household income
  • Last two years W-2 forms
    • All items must be submitted by due date provided at Homebuyer Informational Meeting

Community Referrals

  • Social agencies, churches and individuals are encouraged to inquire for a potential applicant. Habitat will gladly answer questions, but a name is placed on the mailing list only when a potential applicant takes the initiative to call.
  • Agencies should encourage families to attend meetings, even if they have not called first.
  • Habitat welcomes and appreciates all efforts in "spreading the word" and helping in the search for new homeowners.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. Policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.



EEOC button

     Sample Home Buyer Application
Application Review Checklist

  • Debt Ratio
  • Income Matching
  • Credit Report Analysis
  • Need Assessment
  • Income Source
  • Employment History
  • Legal Lake County Residency
Required Support Documents

  • Proof of Identification
  • Proof of all Household Income
  • Proof of all household bills and expenses
  • Other Legal documents
  • Rent and Employment Verification
  • Sex Offender and eviction Checks

Landscape photo of Johnson family groundbreaking New Trier High School building foundation [object Object] 131 Greta on Dedication Day with HFHLC flag.jpg

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