Home Buyer Program
Applications are closed until May of 2023
Thinking about owning your own home?
Habitat SHR builds and renovates simple, decent, energy-efficient 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes. These homes are then sold at no profit to our partner families, with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage which is no greater than 30% of their income at closing. These mortgage payments are contributed back into our building program, which helps create more homeownership opportunities for deserving families in the South Hampton Roads community.
We select our partner families through an application process. Each applicant’s personal financial situation, income, and monthly budget is carefully reviewed and evaluated in order to determine ability to make an affordable mortgage payment every month.
The applicant must earn a steady household income to cover mortgage, insurance, taxes, and living expenses, as well as have a satisfactory credit report. All judgments must be paid in full. Families may not apply within (2) years of the discharge date on bankruptcy and within (5) years of foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.
Qualifications
Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads chooses individuals or families per the recommendation of the Family Selection Committee, whose decision is based upon the following four criteria:
1. Residency
The applicant must have lived within the South Hampton Roads service area for at least one year prior to applying. The service area is comprised of Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
2. Need for Adequate Shelter
Applicants must currently be living in inadequate housing. Examples of inadequate housing include unsafe structure, poor sanitation (excluding self-imposed unsanitary conditions), overcrowding, inaccessibility, and unaffordability (defined as housing payments exceeding 30% of gross income). This may also include living in an unsafe neighborhood.
3. Ability to Pay for a Habitat Home
The applicant must earn a steady household income sufficient to cover the mortgage, insurance, taxes, and living expenses, as well as have a satisfactory credit report. All judgments must be paid in full within two (2) years of the discharge date on bankruptcy and within five (5) years of foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure.
Applicants must disclose the income of all household members on the application. Gross yearly household income must fall between the following:
4. Willingness to Partner with Habitat SHR
Applicants must participate fully during the application process and exhibit a willingness to partner in a safe, well-maintained Habitat community. Terms of this partnership include but are not limited to the following:
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Committing oneself and one’s family to 200 hours of requisite “sweat equity”
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Submitting to Habitat SHR’s policy of conducting criminal background checks and inquiries through the Sex Offender Registry on all adult members—18 years of age or older—of the applicant’s household
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Planning and saving for the closing costs, plus the deposit money for utilities
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Informing the administrative office when financial or family matters change
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Being patient and displaying a good attitude toward everyone involved in this process
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Being honest and fair with all parties involved in this process
The Process
Step 1: Complete an application
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If you’re ready to complete your application for homeownership, please submit a completed application along with the $25 processing fee per applicant which should be delivered, or mailed, to the administrative office.
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Apply for homeownership using the Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer application.
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All supporting documents must be submitted in PDF form. No pictures or screenshots can be accepted.
Step 2: Habitat SHR calculates income and obtains a credit report
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Habitat SHR reviews eligibility forms for completeness, which are—if complete—then processed.
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If applicants do not satisfy the criteria for and are not permitted into the Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads program, they will receive a letter describing the reason for denial within 30 days. If these issues are resolvable, we ask that the applicants make the necessary changes and reapply.
Step 3: Submit supporting documents
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Habitat SHR will verify background checks, employment history, and rental history, along with other required supporting documentation.
Step 4: Family selection committee
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Habitat SHR staff will submit your file for review and approval.
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You will receive a letter within 30 days notifying you of the committee’s decision.
Step 5: If approved to become a Habitat SHR homeowner:
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The applicant will be required to attend homeownership training in order to learn and practice budgeting, home repair, and maintenance (20–30 hours).
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The applicant will be required to work 200 hours of “sweat equity,” in order to help build the homes of other selected Habitat Partner Families, along with the applicant’s own house.
