Applying for a Habitat Home
When You Can Apply
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County builds an average of 25 homes per year. Based on demand and eligibility, not all applicants may be accepted. Selection occurs 3 times per year. For upcoming application dates and details of the process, contact mreyes@habitatkent.org.
Or, you can click here to download the latest Homeowner Program Qualification Criteria brochure (soon to be available in Spanish.)
Habitat is for people who need a better place to live and who are willing and able to take on the responsibility of home ownership.
Habitat is a "hand up," not a "hand out." The demand for Habitat homes is extensive, and conseqently, applicants must demonstrate the ability and commitment to repay the interest-free mortgage. In addition, all Habitat homebuyers are required to invest 300-500 hours of sweat equity, depending on the size of the family, building Habitat homes, plus attending home ownership classes.
Financing Fundamentals
Habitat begins by offering accepted applicants zero percent financing on their home mortgage. The average price of a 2007 Habitat home is $98,000 - $106,000. An earnest payment of $500 is required. Monthly payments (including taxes and insurance) on the 25-year, 0% interest mortgage are typically between $500-$525 for homes built in Grand Rapids. Homes built in other communities in Kent County may have higher tax rates and consequently higher monthly payments.
Advocacy
Habitat relies on thousands of volunteers and generous donors to continue building decent, affordable housing. Consequently, becoming a Habitat homeowner may involve some publicity. The homeowner is often the center of attention among volunteers. Habitat expects their cooperation and participation at groundbreaking, dedication services, media interviews, or whenever volunteers are working. At the same time, Habitat respects the homeowners' privacy and will secure permission for interviews prior to scheduling media appointments or accepting requests for speaking engagements.
