Become A Homeowner
Habitat for Humanity Homeownership
Habitat for Humanity of Denton County helps hardworking families in need of decent, affordable housing to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We have a Habitat family of over 100 Partner Families, and we love to see that family grow. To apply for homeownership, Habitat families go through a pre-application qualification phase, regular application phase, then construction and “sweat equity” phases following qualification and approval for the program. We walk alongside them the entire time to develop a strong relationship. Even after closing on the new Habitat home, Habitat continues to help the family with financial education, staying informed, and knowing how they can continue to be part of our mission. Becoming a Habitat Homeowner can be 1- to 2-year journey. Our Homeownership Services Manager and Homeownership Services Committee are dedicated to helping qualifying applicants understand our organization and all the steps needed to achieve homeownership. Getting acquainted with Habitat and learning how we can partner together is an exciting experience!
Habitat for Humanity of Denton County follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s Homeowners. Our Homeownership Services Committee and Board of Directors selects Habitat Homeowners through an anonymous process based on choosing the family that is the most in need of a home.
If you have additional questions about our program after reviewing the information below, please call Nancy Rodriguez, our Homeownership Services Manager, at (940) 484-5006, ext. 9002.
The Pre-Application process for interested applicants to our Homeownership Program is CLOSED.
The Pre-Application process is currently closed. Please review the below General Qualification Guidelines for the Habitat Homeownership Program to see if you qualify.
If you would like to be notified of the next opening, please contact Nancy Rodriguez, Homeownership Services Manager, at NancyRod@hfhdentoncounty.org or (940) 484-5006, ext. 9002, to be added to our interest list.
Pre-Application Forms
MORTGAGE COUNSELING QUESTIONNAIRE
Currently Unavailable
CUESTIONARIO EN ESPAÑOL
Actualmente no disponible
General Qualification Guidelines
Do you have a NEED for decent housing? Are your working and have the ABILITY TO PAY bills on time? Are you WILLING TO PARTNER with Habitat?
If you said yes, consider applying for a Habitat for Humanity home and start your journey toward homeownership.
NEED FOR HOUSING
- You must not have previously owned a home in the last 3 years
- You must be homeless or living in substandard housing
- Lack of adequate space and/or overcrowded living conditions
ABILITY TO PAY
- Must have evidence of legal, stable income
- Meet HUD Annual Income Guidelines (See chart to the right)
- Acceptable credit report and criminal background check screening
- Debt to income ratio cannot be greater than 43%
WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER
- You must have lived in Denton County for at least the past 12 months
- You must be willing to invest 300-400 “sweat equity” hours into building your home, other Habitat partner families’ homes, attending Homeowner workshop classes, and more
- You must be willing to work alongside volunteers and sponsors
Further Qualifications:
- Are you a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident of the U.S.?
- Are you currently living in Denton County?
- Does your income fall between 30% – 80% of the area median income levels before taxes for our area, depending on the size of your family? (See chart to the right)
All applicants who are accepted into the Homeownership Program are subject to re-qualify every six months until they close on their home.
Last updated: 6/14/23
Benefits of Habitat Homeownership for our Families
- Zero equivalent interest on mortgage
- Affordable monthly payments
- Attractive, well-constructed, high quality homes
- Brand new appliances
- Energy-efficient homes with low utility costs
- Built to meet the family’s size needs
Frequently Asked Questions
“Sweat Equity” is the term we use to describe a homeowner’s volunteer hours. After signing the Letter of Intent agreement, each qualified Partner Family is required to complete between 300-400 sweat equity hours before closing and moving into their home.
You earn Sweat Equity hours by:
- Working on your home (at least 150 hours must be on your own home)
- Working at the Habitat for Humanity of Denton County ReStore
- Helping build another Partner Family’s Habitat home
- Acting as an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity and attend community outreach events
All sweat equity hours must be properly recorded and submitted to the Homeownership Services department.
You must meet HUD Annual Income Guidelines for Denton County. Your income must fall between 30% – 80% of the area median income levels before taxes for our area, depending on the size of your family. See blue chart above for the 2022 HUD Annual Income Guidelines for Denton County and see if your family qualifies.
- Invest 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” on their home, other homes, and more
- Attend Homeowner workshop classes
- Follow through on financial goals toward homeownership
No, applicants do not have to be employed in order to qualify; however, applicants must show evidence of legal, stable income. See HUD Annual Income Guidelines above.
NO. We sell our homes at market value – our Partner Families purchase and own the homes they build with us. Our selected Partner Families receive a zero equivalent interest loan on an up to 40-year mortgage and pay affordable monthly payments. Partner Families also put in 300-400 hours of “sweat equity” into building their home alongside our volunteers and community partners.
- Make timely monthly payments
- Maintain their home
- Continue to be a witness for and partner of Habitat for Humanity of Denton County
We build in and serve the communities of Denton County.
Please visit Where We Build for more information.
Thank you for your interest in partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Denton County!