What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity of Sonoma County is an international faith-based organization dedicated to improving lives by building modest, affordable homes in partnership with our communities and people in need. Habitat for Humanity collaborates with volunteers and partner families to build affordable housing with affordable mortgages.
What Habitat Can Do for You
- Build a house in partnership with you
- Sell you the house with an affordable home loan
- Provide opportunities for you to learn the skills you will need to own and maintain a house
Habitat Houses:
- Are affordable
- Fit the neighborhood
- Create a decent place for people to live
Habitat for Humanity’s Selection Criteria
1) Need
- Substandard living conditions: homes in poor condition
- Overcrowding: more than 2 people per bedroom
- Rent burden: paying more than 40% of monthly income for rent or currently living in subsidized housing
- Income: 60% to 80% of the area median income – see chart below
- Must be a first-time homebuyer (have not owned a home in the previous 3 years)
- Must be a Sonoma County resident for a minimum of 1 year
2024 Maximum Income depends on the number of people in your household, not including fulltime caregivers. Gross income for all household members 18 or older (before taxes or any other payroll deductions)
2) Ability to Pay
- Monthly income sufficient to make mortgage payments
- 2 years of income in current field of work
- Minimum credit score of 640
- No current liens or judgments
- Debt must not be excessive
- No bankruptcy or foreclosure within the last 4 years
- Consistent payment history
- Applicant(s) must be legal US resident(s) or have permanent residency status
3) Willingness to Partner
- Agreement to complete sweat–equity requirement of 500 hours *
- Agreement to attend homeowner preparation workshops
- Willingness to take part in public events on behalf of Habitat
* Sweat-equity hours might include working on building your and others’ house(s), attending meetings and helping with public events, such as groundbreakings, and fundraising events.
Restrictions
There are some restrictions on the resale of Habitat for Humanity built homes. Equity accumulation (the increase in value of your home) is not to be a primary goal of homeownership under our program. A Habitat house is a home to live in long-term and not a house to sell for profit. In addition, Homeowners are not allowed to choose the location nor the plan of their home.
Next Steps
If you meet the above Habitat selection criteria, follow the link below to complete our Program Interest Form. Once complete, you will be contacted regarding the next steps.
