Who Are Habitat Home Applicants?

Indian River Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes for low-income families who have a need or live in substandard housing.

Homeowner Applicants must have a need, the ability to pay and the willingness to partner. They must also:

• Be legal resident of the United States
• Have lived and worked in Indian River County for at least one year
• Household income must fall within the income guidelines listed (see chart)
• Have no prior homeownership in the past three years

Based on 2022 HUD Guidelines of Indian River County.
*number of individuals

A NEED

• Current shelter is inadequate due to structural issues or special needs.
• More than 30% of gross income is paid for housing.

ABILITY TO PAY

• Adequate income to cover utilities, maintenance expenses, as well as the mortgage payments, which include taxes and insurance.
• Less than $3,000 in delinquent non-medical debt on your credit report in the past 24 months.
• Debt to income ratio of less than 41%.
• Timely rent payments, stable income for one year, and no bankruptcy in the past three years.

WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER

• A willingness to partner with Habitat and work hundreds of hours of “sweat equity”. (Total hours based on number of adults in household)
• Must attend the required homeowner classes as scheduled.
• Willing to pay-off all non-medical delinquent debt prior to purchasing home.
• Meet a minimum savings amount of $2,000 towards closing costs.
• Be responsible for house maintenance after the move in date.
• Be responsible for repaying the purchase cost of the home in a timely manner so that other families can benefit from the Habitat program.