Repair Your Home

Partnering together to build stability

Repair your Home

Partnering together to build stability

You Deserve a Place of Stability.

Do you need critical repairs on your home? At Habitat Kent we believe it is a basic human right that everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. We want to help you build a better life and create a strong future. Side by side we will help you make critical repairs to your home. We subsidize part of the cost of repairs and then, whenever possible, work with you on an affordable payment plan for the remaining amount.

Apply For A Repair: Online

“I couldn’t do these repairs by myself.”

Repairs in Grand Rapids
neighborhoods.

Habitat Kent partners with homeowners to repair their homes in these four Grand Rapids neighborhoods.
Click here to see if your home falls within the boundary.

Roosevelt Park: Located in southwest Grand Rapids, the neighborhood boundary is from Wealthy St. SW to Burton St. SW surrounded by Godfrey Ave SW and Century Ave SW.

Black Hills: Located directly west of Roosevelt Park, surrounded by Market Ave SW, Godfrey Ave SW, Hall St. SW and Freeman Ave SW.

John Ball Area: Located west of the Grand River, south of Bridge St. NW, east of Covell Ave SW and along Wealthy St. SW into O’Brien Rd. SW.

West Grand: Located west of the Grand River, north of Bridge St. NW, south of Ann St. NW and east of Valley Ave NW and Bristol Ave. NW.

Qualification Info.

Proof of Homeownership

Must meet all conditions.

Own home in our project coverage area that is your primary residence
Provide ownership documents, with no outstanding liens on property (with exception of mortgage)
Provide Proof of Homeowners Insurance Coverage (Resources avilable if needed)
Be current on property tax payments (to be verified by Habitat through city website) and be current on mortgage payments
Veteran applicants may apply if living with relative who owns home
Have no more than $20,000 in cash assets

Ability to Pay for Repair

Must meet all conditions.

If the total cost of repairs is less than $1,500 you will need to repay up to 15% of the total cost, or $50, whichever is greater
If the cost of repairs is $1,500 – $5,000 you will need to repay up to 20% of the total cost of repairs

If the total cost of repairs is estimated to exceed $5,000 then the following additional requirements apply:

Total Monthly Debt obligations may not exceed 40% of Gross Monthly Income
Your submitted documentation must demonstrate reliability in paying utilities on time
Have a willingness and ability to repay up to 40% of the total project cost with a reasonable payment plan

Qualification Info.

Will you partner with Habitat?

Must meet all conditions.

Complete application package and participate in application process
Perform required “Sweat Equity” volunteer hours if applicable
For Projects over $5,000, be willing to accept a forgivable lien against the property
Accept available properties and home design plans
Be present at your home the day the work is being completed, if possible
Maintain an attitude of cooperation and treat all stakeholders with respect
Adhere to Habitat Kent’s privacy policy

Note: Habitat for Humanity of Kent County approves repair projects based on critical repair assessments, health & safety needs, budgetary constraints, and location. We reserve the right to decline any potential project that does not fit our stated goals.

See if you qualify

to repair your home with Habitat Kent

If you meet all of the requirements you are well on your way to repairing your home. But first…

Repair Program Boundary

Due to funding restraints, Habitat Kent is only conducting repairs in Grand Rapids’ west side neighborhoods (veterans excluded from the geographical boundary).

Click here to see if your home falls within the boundary.

Don’t think you qualify or not sure if you qualify? We can still help.
Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, we may be able to refer you to another organization.
Call: (616) 588-5235

The Repair Program Process

What does it take to repair your home with Habitat Kent?

Repairing your home with Habitat Kent is a lot of hard work, but we’ll be by your side every step of the way. Here’s what to expect:

Phase 1: Application

The applicant submits all required documents along with the completed home repair application.
The application will be processed by Habitat Kent.
The applicant will be notified if the application was accepted for further processing or denied (this process may take up to 3 months).
Adhere to Habitat Kent’s privacy policy

Phase 2: Home Assessments

A Habitat Kent construction staff member will schedule and perform a home assessment.
The Habitat Kent construction staff member will help identify repair needs in the home.
The Habitat Kent construction staff member will complete a preliminary scope of work.

Phase 3: Approval and Partner Meeting

The application will be sent to a selection committee for final approval.
The scope of work will be finalized and submitted.
Applicant will be contacted confirming acceptance into the program
Orientation and partnering meeting to discuss repair work, construction, and payment process.

Phase 4: Construction and Payment

Construction schedule created and volunteers assigned.
Construction implemented.
Sign off upon completion.

Habitat for Humanity supports equal housing opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or lawful source of income.

Applicant Frequently Asked Questions…

Does Habitat give away houses?

No, Habitat for Humanity does not give away houses. Qualified applicants purchase a home from Habitat with a no-interest mortgage, making affordable monthly payments based on their income and expenses.

How much is a mortgage payment?

Habitat homes are sold to Habitat Partners with a no-interest mortgage. Mortgage payments are based on 22-28% of the partner’s gross income.

How do I qualify for a Habitat home?

Habitat Partners must be U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents and cannot already own a home. Additionally, homebuyers have to meet the following selection criteria:

Have a need for housing
Be willing to partner with Habitat
Have the ability to pay for a home
- Household income must be at least $25,000 but not more than 60% of the Kent County area median income (the minimum income increases slightly for each additional household member beyond one). Click here for a more detailed look at our qualification information.

Do applicants need good credit?

Part of the application process involves pulling a credit history report. The main consideration is whether an applicant is making consistent payments on their debt. Existing long-term debt should be no more than 38% of an applicant’s gross monthly income. Bankruptcies appearing on credit reports must be discharged in order to be eligible for our homeownership program.

What is the application process like?

Applicants must request an application packet from us by calling (616) 588-5235 or emailing homeownership@habitatkent.org. The packet includes an application checklist that lists all the documents needed to apply for the program.

PHASE 1: Homeownership Application & Affordability Assessment

Applicant submits all required documents along with the completed Homeownership Application.
We will send verification forms to applicant’s landlord, employer, housing commission, etc., as applicable.
The entire application will undergo a careful review to ensure the applicant meets all of the Homebuyer Selection Criteria.
We will analyze an applicant’s income and credit report.
Applicant will be notified if the application was accepted for further processing or denied.
- This process may take up to 3 months.

PHASE 2: Application Meeting

All applicants accepted in Phase 1 will be invited to a group meeting to learn more about program requirements.
- - At this stage, applicants will also be provided with a list of the avilable properties. The applicants will be invited to rank the properties in order of preference and will be invited to submit Phase 2 documentation which will be reviewed by Habitat Kent.
    - If the applicant does not wish to select any of the avilable properties, they can withdraw and reapply not less than six months later.
PHASE 3: Property Presentation
- - - If the applicant passes Phase 2, a home interview will be scheduled.
      - During the home interview, our Family Selection Committee meets with the applicant for additional analysis. This committee recommends applicants who qualify for the Homeownership Program to our Board of Directors.
      - If the Board of Directors accepts the committee’s recommendation, an acceptance letter will be mailed to applicant, inviting them to formally participate in our Homeownership Program.
Habitat for Humanity supports equal housing opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or lawful source of income.

Once accepted into the program, what’s next?

Approved applicants, known as Habitat Partners, show their dedication to homeownership by completing the following requirements:

- - Volunteering 300-500 Sweat Equity hours
  - Attending required homeownership classes and workshops
  - Saving $1,000 for a down payment

It can take up to 18 months to complete the program requirements and move into a Habitat home.

What is Sweat Equity?

The term refers to the hands-on involvement of prospective homeowners in the construction of their homes, as well as in other Habitat and community activities. At Habitat Kent, Habitat Partners are required to complete 300-500 Sweat Equity hours, based on the number of mortgage applicants and adults in the household.

How does Habitat Kent determine home size?

Our homes range from 2 to 5 bedrooms depending on the size of the Habitat Partner’s household.

Where does Habitat Kent build homes?

We build homes mostly in Greater Grand Rapids, but have some in other areas of Kent County, Eastern Ottawa County and Northern Allegan County.

Can Habitat homeowners sell their Habitat homes?

Habitat homeowners can sell their homes; however, Habitat for Humanity has a right of first refusal, meaning homes must first be offered back to Habitat for purchase. Habitat will either purchase it or refuse it. Refusal allows Habitat homeowners to put their home on the market by conventional means.

All repair applicants must adhere to Habitat Kent’s Privacy Policy.