Habitat Homebuyer Program

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How the Habitat Homebuyer Program Works: Habitat for Humanity offers a homebuyer program to qualified low-income individuals and families in the Green Lake, Marquette, and Waushara Counties. Habitat extends a 0% interest mortgage loan. Monthly mortgage payments include repayment to Habitat for the home (principal), as well as for property taxes and home insurance (escrow).

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Looking to apply to be our next Partner family?

Thank you for expressing interest in becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner. We hope that the Habitat program can help you succeed on your journey to homeownership.

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PROGRAM APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED MAY 15-JULY 15

Contact us to be added to our contact list for 2024. 

• Access Application Online CLICK HERE (link is only active May 15-July 15)

• Pick up In-Person at 205 E Main St, Wautoma - CAPsell Building, Suite 23 (only May 15-July 15)

• Call or Email request (920) 787-288 or habitatglmw@hfhglmw.org (only May 15-July 15)

 Applications will be reviewed in the order in which they are received. Program opportunities will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where to Start

Habitat Homebuyer Readiness Info Sessions CLICK HERE
Habitat will host a brief one-hour Homebuyer Readiness informational session. We will cover general information about Habitat’s housing ministry and how applicants qualify to purchase a home with Habitat. If you want to learn more about Habitat before you apply, please join us! Please feel free to contact Habitat if you have any questions.

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Qualified applicants will need to meet the Selection Criteria and other requirements listed below:

 

Need

Applicant(s) must be in need of housing due to any of the following situations:

 

• Structurally substandard, unsafe, or unhealthy living conditions

• Temporary housing or over-crowded living conditions

• Housing costs (rent + utilities) exceed 30% of gross monthly household income

• Housing is inaccessible

• Reside in subsidized or transitional housing (section 8, Title 42, etc.)

 

Ability to Pay

Habitat will evaluate applicants’ household income and debt.

 

Income

Applicants must be comfortable with a monthly mortgage payment from $550 to $950 (depending upon income) and must have enough income through stable employment or other forms of permanent income to afford a home and all basic living expenses.

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Income includes all wages, unemployment (only if related to seasonal employment), social security, pension, and/or disability. Self-employment income is defined as the “Net Profit” [line 31, Schedule C (1040)]. Income can also include child support, kinship care, and other types of income which is received on a regular basis and are needed to cover monthly expenses. All income sources are included when they are expected to last for three years or longer.

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2022 Income Guidelines are based on family size and vary by county. Your gross annual income must be at or above the minimum and at or below the maximum.

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2022 Homeownership Income Guidelines By County 

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Family Size                                  Minimum                                         Maximum

      1                                               $24,500                                           $36,300   

      2                                               $24,500                                           $41,520   

      3                                               $26,200                                           $46,680  

      4                                               $26,200                                           $51,840

      5                                               $28,020                                           $56,040

      6                                               $30,090                                           $60,180

      7                                               $32,160                                            $64,320    

      8                                               $34,230                                            $68,460

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Debt

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Applicants’ credit history does not need to be perfect. Many applicants have some debt. Is it important for applicants to know how much is owed and for the total amount of debt to be manageable?

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• All collection debt must have proof of active payment plans or be paid in full

• Judgments for money must be satisfied. [Go to CCAP – Wisconsin Circuit Court Access at: 

• Bankruptcy or foreclosure must have been satisfied for at least twelve months

• It is recommended that applicants obtain a free copy of their credit report to ensure all credit is reported accurately  [Go to www.annualcreditreport.com]

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Willingness to Partner

Applicants must be willing to work in partnership with Habitat with their positive and active involvement in the Homebuyer Sweat Equity Program. Applicants must be willing to complete 300 to 500 hours of sweat equity by attending classes and workshops, working at Habitat, participating in Habitat events, and building on other homes as well as their own.
*Accommodations for health and employment issues will be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

Additional Applicant Requirements

• Divorce proceedings must have a known finalization date

• Applicant(s) must have entered the US legally and provide applicable documentation

• Applicant must clear a criminal background check

• It is important to determine who the homebuyers will be when there are multiple adults who are planning to live in the home permanently

• Wisconsin is a marital property state and Habitat requires married couples to apply jointly

• All adult (over 18) household members must sign a general release for a background check and other verification

• Habitat is unable to serve applicants if any household member is a registered sex offender

• Any conviction(s) that are recent and/or severe in nature will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis

How to Apply

Individuals interested in homeownership through Habitat will need to complete and submit a Pre-Screening Questionnaire. 

Pre-Screening Questionnaire steps to complete:

• Obtain the Pre-Screening Questionnaire

• Submit the Pre-Screening Questionnaire

• When the Application Process is open, 

• Check your public record for Judgments or Liens – You may have a court-ordered judgment and not even know it!  Judgments or liens need to be paid before Habitat can work with you. Go to CCAP - Wisconsin Circuit Court Access:https://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl before applying.

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*Every Adult (over 18 years) must sign a general release form. All married couples must sign a joint release form.

 

Not ready to apply? Contact Habitat for your options.

Email: Habitatglmw@hfhglmw.org     Call: (920) 787-2888