Need for Housing
You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.
Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure; water, electrical or sewage service systems; heating system, hazardous substances, or failure to meet city or county property maintenance standards. You may also meet the need for housing qualification if you are living in an overcrowded or unaffordable situation. If you are living in subsidized or transitional housing, such as Section 8, you may qualify.
Ability to Pay
You must demonstrate an ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment on your home. This monthly payment includes a, mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance payments and can include a below-market value interest rate. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses.
Family Income
Your income should fall within 30% to 80% of Linn county’s median income for your family size.
| Family Size | 2019 Area Median Income | |
| Min. 30% | Max. 80% | |
| 1 | $13,800 | $36,800 |
| 2 | $15,750 | $42,000 |
| 3 | $17,730 | $47,280 |
| 4 | $19,680 | $52,480 |
| 5 | $21,270 | $56,720 |
| 6 | $22,830 | $60,880 |
| 7 | $24,420 | $65,120 |
Additionally, you must have at least one year of stable income coming into your household. We can include non-work related income such as food stamps, child support, TANF, Social Security, etc. as stable income if you can guarantee you will receive that income for the next three years.
Credit
All applicants will undergo a credit check. If there has been a bankruptcy in your past, it needs to be discharged for at least a year and you must demonstrate improved credit since then. If you have a court judgment resulting in a fine or settlement that is still unpaid, the judgment must be paid off in full. You must have a reasonable level of debt, and medical bills will not be counted against you.
Willingness to Participate
Once you have been selected to receive a home, you become a “partner family”. This partnership is a unique characteristic of our program in that you contribute to your ongoing eligibility through sweat equity. This means that each family is responsible for completing 500 volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity. This sweat equity hour requirement can be completed during site construction on current homes, in the Habitat office, at the Habitat ReStore, and by attending homeowner classes. Sweat Equity is a fun way to stay involved with both the Habitat community and the process of completing your future home.
If you meet the qualifications and would like more information about Habitat home ownership, please attend our next Homeowner Information Session or call us at 541-967-4030.