Need

You may qualify for homeownership if:

• You have lived in West Orange County for at least the last 12 months
• You have had the same job or source of verifiable income for at least the last 6 months
• Your current housing is:

Inadequate – Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure such as: water; electrical or sewage service systems; heating system; hazardous; poorly maintained (substandard); or failure to meet city property maintenance standards.

Overcrowded – Also taken into consideration are the make up and size of your family compared to the number of bedrooms in your home.

Transitional -- You are currently living with family members or a friend and you do not have your own home.

Government Subsidized – Housing programs such as: Section 8, Low Rent Program.

Unaffordable – A percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need ("more than 40% of my monthly income goes towards rent").

Also, if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.

Ability to Pay

You and your family will be considered if your total income is between 25% and 60% of the area median income for Orange County as set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This income is based on family size and is represented in the chart below:

In order to qualify for a Habitat House, a family should have adequate income to cover utilities, maintenance expenses, as well as the house payments which include taxes & insurance.

You will have to demonstrate the ability to pay a $550 to $650 per month interest-free mortgage which includes property taxes, property insurance and termite protection.

In addition, you must:

• Not have any unpaid charge-offs on your credit report
• Owe less than 30% of your gross annual income in total debt
• Pay your rent on time
• Had stable income for the last year
• Have not declared bankruptcy in the last 18 months
• Make a cash down payment of $1,000 plus closing costs

Willingness To Partner

If you are approved by West Orange Habitat for Humanity as a prospective homeowner you must

• Be willing to live on a lot and home provided by West Orange Habitat for Humanity
• Be willing and able to work and contribute "sweat equity" to West Orange Habitat for Humanity
• Complete 20 Homeowner Education Workshops provided by Habitat for Humanity.

Prospective homeowners are strongly encouraged to attend one of our Orientation Meetings, which are held monthly.