COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT HOMEOWNER?
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WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
We believe everyone should have access to safe, stable, affordable housing. That's why we work together to help you build your new home. Along the way, you'll also learn the skills you need to succeed as a homeowner.
A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Habitat for Humanity of Cass County is an Equal Housing Opportunity organization and partners with individuals and families regardless of their race, religion, color, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin as long as they meet our homeowner qualifications.
ARE YOU READY TO BECOME A HOMEOWNER?
NEED FOR HOUSING
We serve families and individuals coming from inadequate housing situations. If your current living situation is unsafe, unstable, overcrowded, in poor repair, or too expensive for your income, you may be eligible to partner with us.
PARTNER WITH US
Our families partner with us to complete 250 hours of sweat equity per adult family member and 100 hours for each child aged 16-17. In addition to working to build homes, partnering also includes completing financial and homeownership workshops.
ABILITY TO PAY
We evaluate every applicant’s financial situation and assess whether or not making a mortgage payment is realistic. We look at credit reports, current income and employment status, outstanding debt, and current monthly expenses.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
We serve families sithin Cass County who make between 40% and 80% of the area median income. To see if you qualify, scroll down to the income chart below, find your family size, and see if your annual income falls within the range.
If you meet the guidelines below, and your income falls within the range, we encourage you to complete an application.
INCOME
- Make between 40% and 80% of the area median income. To see if you meet this guideline, refer to the chart under GROSS INCOME LIMITS; select your county, find your family size, and see if your gross annual income falls within the range.
- Must have at least 1 year of consistent income (via employment, SSI, SSDI, Pension, etc)
- Self-employment income must have 2 years of tax returns
DEBT
- No unpaid debt in collections over $1,000 (this is debt that you owe that has been turned over to a 3rd party to collect payment from you because it was not paid to the original creditor).
- Total household debt cannot exceed 40% of the total household income.
EMPLOYMENT (if employed)
- Must be with current employer for at least 6 months.
- No more than 2 employers in the last 12 months.
GENERAL
- Must have lived or worked in Cass County for at least 1 year.
- No bankruptcy within the last 3 years.
- No evictions or foreclosures within the last 3 years.
- Cannot have owned a home within the last 3 years.
- Non-permanent residents are not eligible.
EXCEPTIONS
- A displaced homemaker who has only owned a home with a former spouse.
- A single parent who has only owned a home with a former spouse while married.
- An individual who has only owned a property that was not in compliance with state, local, or model building codes, or other applicable codes and that cannot be brought into compliance with such codes for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.
