Home Building for Home Ownership
Fulfill your dream.
Everyone deserves a decent place to live, and everyone can do something today to make that possible for another family. Qualified families work alongside our volunteers to build their own safe, sustainable and affordable homes.
We build safe, modest homes with qualified working families and community volunteers. Our partner families must contribute 300 hours of sweat equity to Habitat –– working on their prospective homes’ construction, at ReStore and/or in the Habitat office.
Finished homes are purchased by families with affordable mortgages from a local bank or other lending partners. Along the way, Habitat also prepares our families for successful home ownership through household financial education classes, completed before they close on their homes and begin paying their affordable mortgages.
Everyone deserves a decent place to live, and everyone can do something today to make that possible for another family. Qualified families work alongside our volunteers to build their own safe, sustainable and affordable homes.
We build safe, modest homes with qualified working families and community volunteers. Our partner families must contribute 300 hours of sweat equity to Habitat –– working on their prospective homes’ construction, at ReStore and/or in the Habitat office.
Finished homes are purchased by families with affordable mortgages from a local bank or other lending partners. Along the way, Habitat also prepares our families for successful home ownership through household financial education classes, completed before they close on their homes and begin paying their affordable mortgages.
How to Become a Homeowner
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Columbia County Habitat for Humanity is not currently accepting homeowner applications at this time. You can join the waiting list by completing the form below or by calling 518-828-0892.
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Application Process
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.
If you’re interested in applying, the process begins when Habitat acquires property for a project. There are a few steps:
The first is to read and understand the detailed application criteria listed below. Then, fill out the Application for Housing and send it and other requested materials to the Family Services Coordinator at the address on the form.
You must also:
If you’re interested in applying, the process begins when Habitat acquires property for a project. There are a few steps:
The first is to read and understand the detailed application criteria listed below. Then, fill out the Application for Housing and send it and other requested materials to the Family Services Coordinator at the address on the form.
You must also:
- Meet with Habitat staff to review your application and materials for completeness
- Have a family interview in your home
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
The Application Process:
Habitat Partner Families are chosen based on evaluation of three criteria:
1. Need for Adequate Housing
You need to currently live in housing which is substandard or a severe cost burden. This could mean overcrowding or unsafe conditions, inadequate heat or sanitary conditions, or severe structural problems. It could also mean that more than 30% of your income goes to housing. In this case, you might qualify even if your current housing is not considered substandard.
2. Ability to Pay
The total applicant household income must include income from all members of the household and must be documented by copies of paystubs, W-2s, benefit letters, etc. Total household income must be enough for the family to be able to make affordable monthly payments, but cannot be below 50% or exceed 75% of the median income for Columbia County, based on family size. FY 2022 Median Income for Columbia County was $88,700.
Habitat Partner Families are chosen based on evaluation of three criteria:
1. Need for Adequate Housing
You need to currently live in housing which is substandard or a severe cost burden. This could mean overcrowding or unsafe conditions, inadequate heat or sanitary conditions, or severe structural problems. It could also mean that more than 30% of your income goes to housing. In this case, you might qualify even if your current housing is not considered substandard.
2. Ability to Pay
The total applicant household income must include income from all members of the household and must be documented by copies of paystubs, W-2s, benefit letters, etc. Total household income must be enough for the family to be able to make affordable monthly payments, but cannot be below 50% or exceed 75% of the median income for Columbia County, based on family size. FY 2022 Median Income for Columbia County was $88,700.
Habitat evaluates the financial readiness of each applicant household, but does not use credit scores as criteria. A credit report, however, will be run on an applicant to review the applicant’s general payment history.
3. Willingness to Partner
Applicant(s) must be agree to:
- Invest 300 hours in “sweat equity”. All families buying Habitat houses around the world help with the building of their own homes. Friends and family members 16 years or older can participate to help to earn hours.
- Attend an approved First-Time Homebuyers course before purchasing a Habitat home.
- Take financial and maintenance responsibility for a Habitat home.
- Submit to a Sex Offender database check and a Criminal Background Check as part of the application process.
HOMEOWNER EDUCATION
When you become a Habitat partner family, you’re required to complete first-time home-buyer education classes before home closing. Topics include money management, information about mortgages, how to stay financially fit and tips on home maintenance and safety.
This training program is designed to provide you with the knowledge to be a successful homeowner.
After you move into your home, a community volunteer will become your Family Advocate. She or he will provide a warm welcome and meet with you regularly to answer questions as they come up.
This training program is designed to provide you with the knowledge to be a successful homeowner.
After you move into your home, a community volunteer will become your Family Advocate. She or he will provide a warm welcome and meet with you regularly to answer questions as they come up.
