Habitat for Humanity Lake County

Home Purchase Program

Habitat strives to make homeownership affordable for more Lake County families. We provide a hand up, not a hand-out, meaning we’re in active partnership with the families accepted into our program.

Do you want to purchase a Habitat Home?

  • Do you need to improve your current housing situation?
  • Do you have the ability to pay a mortgage?
  • Are you willing to partner for 500 hours with Habitat to build or rehab your home?

Habitat for Humanity Lake County builds and rehabs simple, affordable homes with hard-working, low-income, Partner families in Lake County, Illinois.

Families purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity Lake County with an interest-free mortgage.  No down payment is required.

Our homes are available in locations where we obtain property, primarily in Waukegan and North Chicago.

Agencies, congregations, and others are invited to refer potential applicants to contact us for information. Anyone may apply. Click here to learn more. 

Sign up below to receive more information or view information on this flyer from our recent spring informational meeting.

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  • Residency: Lake County resident for past 24 months and Legal U.S Resident

    Need for Improved Housing: Current housing is inadequate or unsafe

    Ability to Pay: Sufficient income for family size to meet HUD guidelines as noted in the links above, or at the Homebuyer Information Meetings. Bankruptcy discharged at least 2 years ago

    Willing to Partner: Complete 500 hours of sweat equity in weekly Habitat financial literacy classes, monthly budget sessions, volunteering at our ReStore and building or rehabbing homes

  • See the application assessment here

    Submit Application and Documents: Credit Report Authorization, Pay Stubs, Tax Returns, W-2s, proof of other income and more

    Submit Additional documents: If requested send bills, bank statements, ID and more documents

    Complete References: Assist in Landlord and Employer Reference

    Home Visit: Welcome Habitat staff in your home

    Recommendation: Family Services Committee recommends you for approval by Board of Directors

  • Education Program: Complete all 30+ classes

    Budget Program: Attend monthly sessions with counselor, reduce debt, increase credit score, establish bank account

    Sweat Equity: Complete 500 hours at our ReStore in Gurnee and by building and rehabbing houses

    Accept assigned address and type of house: Cities vary and house may be new or rehab

    Complete house purchase application process: Prior to closing resubmit income documents, credit report authorization, and additional documents

    Purchase home: Closing at Habitat office

    It may take one year for you to complete the process and move into your home.

  • To encourage effective home ownership, we provide additional programs to help Partner Families grow

    Gardening Together

    Classes: Landscape design, plant choices, yard tools, photos and ideas

    Spring Work Day: Donated plants and some tools

    Mentors: Volunteer gardener supports each family in designing and maintaining their yard

    Yard of the Month Program: Awards monthly to homeowners

    Fall Work Day: Putting Your Garden to Bed by pulling out plants, preparing for winter


    Will and Estate Planning - The Lake County Bar Association facilitates this program.

    Class: Preparing to create your Will; Executor, Guardian, Power of Attorney

    Will Writing: 1 hour session with pro bono attorney to prepare Will and Power of Attorney for Health Care and Power of Attorney for Property


To receive information about becoming a Habitat Partner Family, please fill out your name and e-mail address below.

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Thank you to our partners who directly serve our Partner Families

  • Catholic Charities 
  • First Midwest Bank 
  • Lake County Bar Association
  • North Shore Gas Company
  • Police Department
  • Primerica
  • Red Cross
  • State Farm
  • Waukegan Community Church
  • Waukegan Township
  • Wintrust Bank
  • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority