About Our New Home Ownership Program

Habitat for Humanity's new home ownership program takes up to a year and requires active participation from partner families. Selected families must complete homebuyer education and sweat equity which includes learning about the housing market, mortgage financing, housing discrimination, and assisting with the construction of their home.

​Once completed, the home is sold at a discounted price (no more than 30% of the family’s annual income), with a 0% interest mortgage . The mortgage term is 30 years, but early repayment is allowed. Families must live in the home for at least five years to retain the discounted price and are encouraged to stay for 30 years to maximize financial benefits.

Bad living conditions

Housing may be considered unsafe or unhealthy due to disrepair, infestations, mold, leaks, inadequate plumbing, failing electricity, heating or kitchen appliances, or inaccessible spaces for disabled household members.

Overcrowding

A household is considered overcrowded if the number of residents exceeds the total number of rooms - including bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining, and living areas. For example, a five-room housing unit with six residents is considered overcrowded.

unaffordable

A house is  unaffordable if housing expenses (rent/mortgage, insurance, property taxes, and utilities) exceed 30% of household income.

Paying Back

All adult household members' income  - not just the applicants' - is considered when determining eligibility. Housing expenses should not exceed 30% of household income, and total income must remain within 80% of the area median income. 

Sweat equity & willingness to Partner

Partner Families must complete 200 Sweat Equity Hours earned through home construction, volunteering, assisting with office tasks, homeownership education, or participating in marketing and public relations efforts. Families may recruit friends and relatives to contribute hours, with up to 10 past volunteer hours counting toward the total.

​Willingness to partner is shown through building up savings for closing costs, communication, volunteer participation, and commitment to homebuyer education.​

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Application for Homeownership Criteria

When applying for Itasca County Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership program, an applicant
should understand the following will need to be met in order to be considered for the program:

• Applicant(s) must live in Grand Forks County or East Grand Forks at time of application
• Applicant(s) must have income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income limit for the appropriate family size.
• Applicant(s) understands that any existing debt collections must total less than $2000 and the amount will need to be paid off before home closing
•  Applicant(s) cannot have judgements that exceed $1000 and the amount must be paid off before home closing
• Applicant(s) must be able to demonstrate sufficient monthly income to make mortgage payments, including taxes and insurance
• Applicant(s) must be willing to work 200 sweat equity hours
• Applicant(s) must be facing barriers with safe affordable housing. (Example: facing homelessness, paying over 30% of monthly income on housing, current housing is unsafe or deficient with structural/plumbing/electrical issues)

Family Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Minimum	$36,550	$41,800	$47,000	$52,200	$56,500	$60,600	$64,750	$68,950
Maximum	$58,450	$66,800	$75,150	$83,500	$90,200	$96,900	$103,550	$110,250

Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy in line with the Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Race, sex, color, national origin, religion, familial status, age, marital status, disability and income from public assistance are not a factor in choosing homeowners.