Homeownership Program
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Passaic County Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over.
About the Program
By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.
Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
How to qualify for a Habitat home
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Every Habitat home is an investment. For us, it is one answer to a critical need, and we believe that stronger homes will create stronger communities.
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Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing.
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Prospective households are low to moderate income.
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Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing "sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Sweat equity can also include taking homeownership classes or performing other volunteer work.
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Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat makes a reasonable effort to ensure that an affordable mortgage does not exceed 30% of the homeowner’s gross monthly income. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
Can anyone apply to be a Habitat homeowner?
Yes. Passaic County Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy of homebuyer selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor.
How do you apply to be a Habitat homeowner?
Passaic County HFH opens a new application period prior to the start of construction for each project. Please note that we accept applications only during our open period where we will host information session to help with the process. We do not accept applications on an open or continuous basis.