Requirements for Homeownership
How the Program Works
The "American Dream" of homeownership becomes a reality for families in need through the work of Habitat for Humanity in Orlando. We pride ourselves on being a hand up for our families and not a handout. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, also known as “sweat equity” - into building their home and the homes of others.
Habitat for Humanity Orlando relies on donations from corporations, foundations, congregations, and individuals to build homes. In return, the homes that are built with these donated funds are sold to each new homeowner at cost and financed with a 20-year, interest-free mortgage. The principal portions of the mortgage payments are added to our “Fund for Humanity” and are used to build more new homes.
If you'd like more information please call 407-648-4567 ext 201 or email sholston@habitat-orlando.org.
Criteria for Homeownership
You may be eligible for a Habitat home if you have been a resident of Orlando/Orange County for at least 6 months and you meet the 3 guidelines: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.
We serve the Greater Orlando area, primarily within the City of Orlando and parts of Orange County (with the exception of Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Winter Garden, and Oakland which are covered by other Habitat affiliates).
Need:
You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is one of the following:
- Inadequate – Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure such as: water; electrical or sewage service systems; heating system; hazardous; poorly maintained (substandard); or failure to meet city property maintenance standards.
- Overcrowded – Also taken into consideration are the make up and size of your family compared to the number of bedrooms in your home.
- Transitional -- You are currently living with family members or a friend and you do not have your own home.
- Government Subsidized – Housing programs such as: Section 8, Low Rent Program.
- Unaffordable – A percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need ("more than 40% of my monthly income goes towards rent").
- Also, if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.
Ability to Pay:
You and your family will be considered if your total income is between 25% and 60% of the area median income for Orange County as set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This income is based on family size and is represented in the chart below:
Annual household income should fall within the following guidelines:
|
Family
Size
|
Min Gross
Annual Income
|
Max Gross
Annual Income
|
|
One
|
$10,250
|
$24,600
|
|
Two
|
$11,700
|
$28,080
|
|
Three
|
$13,175
|
$31,620
|
|
Four
|
$14,625
|
$35,100
|
|
Five
|
$15,800
|
$37,920
|
|
Six
|
$16,975
|
$40,740
|
|
Seven
|
$18,150
|
$43,560
|
|
Eight
|
$19,325
|
$46,380
|
** Subject to change Updated 1/16/2013
In order to qualify for a Habitat House, a family should have adequate income to cover utilities, maintenance expenses, as well as the house payments which include taxes & insurance.
You will have to demonstrate the ability to pay a $550 to $650 per month interest-free mortgage which includes property taxes & property insurance.
In addition, you must:
Willingness to Partner:
- You must be willing to partner with Habitat Orlando and work 300 hours of “sweat equity” for a single applicant or 500 hours of “sweat equity” for a two-person applicant.
- You must attend the required homeowner classes as scheduled (see below for listing of classes)
- You will encourage other families to participate in the Habitat program.
- You will be responsible for maintenance of your house from the time you move into your home.
- You will be responsible for repaying the purchase cost of your home in a timely manner so that other families can benefit from the Habitat program
