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St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity

Homeownership Program

A Path to Affordable Homeownership in Pierce & St. Croix Counties

St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity partners with hardworking families to build and purchase safe, affordable homes in Hudson, WI and the surrounding area. Learn how to apply and what to expect.

Start Your ApplicationLearn About Eligibility

Eligibility

Who Qualifies for a Habitat Home?

Habitat for Humanity uses three core criteria to evaluate applicants. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee selection, but all three must be present to be considered.

Need for Housing

Your current housing is overcrowded, unsafe, inaccessible, or unaffordable. You do not currently own a home that meets your family's needs.

Ability to Pay

You have a stable income that falls within our income guidelines — 40–80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Pierce & St. Croix Counties. Income limits depend on how many people live in your home: for an individual, the lowest income we serve starts at about $36,000, and a family of four can have an income as high as about $105,200. The AMI is set each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), so guidelines are updated annually. You must be able to afford and sustain a Habitat mortgage.

Willingness to Partner

You are willing to complete sweat equity hours — working alongside volunteers on your home or others' — and participate in homeownership education classes.

Income Guidelines

Can I Afford a Habitat Home?

Habitat homes come with an affordable, low-cost mortgage — designed so your monthly payment is no more than 30% of your income. Here's what that looks like in plain numbers.

Income Range

$30K–$75K

Typical household income range for Pierce & St. Croix Counties applicants (40–80% of AMI for a family of four)

Monthly Payment

≤30%

Your Habitat mortgage payment will never exceed 30% of your gross monthly income — that's the Habitat standard

Down Payment

$0

No down payment required. Sweat equity hours are your investment in your home

Income guidelines are updated periodically. Contact us for the current figures for Pierce & St. Croix Counties.

The Process

How to Apply: Step by Step

Our application process is designed to be straightforward. Here's what to expect from start to finish.

01

Check Application Status

Applications open periodically based on available funding and build capacity. Check our website or contact us to find out if applications are currently being accepted in Pierce & St. Croix Counties.

02

Submit a Pre-Application

Complete a short pre-application form to confirm basic eligibility. This helps us understand your household size, income range, and current housing situation before the full application.

03

Complete the Full Application

If your pre-application is promising, you'll be invited to submit a full application with supporting documents including proof of income, tax returns, and a description of your current housing need.

04

Home Visit & Interview

A Habitat staff member or volunteer will conduct a home visit to assess your current living conditions and discuss your application in more detail.

05

Selection Committee Review

A volunteer selection committee reviews all complete applications and makes decisions based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner — never on race, religion, or national origin.

06

Partnership & Sweat Equity

Selected families complete required sweat equity hours and homeownership education before closing on their Habitat home. This partnership is central to the Habitat model.

Application Documents

Download the forms you need to get started. Complete the pre-application first — if your household looks like a good fit, we'll invite you to submit the full application.

Fillable PDF

Pre-Application

A short, fillable form to confirm basic eligibility before the full application.

Download

PDF

Full Application

The complete homeowner application with supporting document checklist.

Download

Flyer PDF

Baldwin Build Flyer

Overview of the current Baldwin build — eligibility, timeline, and how to apply.

Download

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Habitat Home

Answers to the most common questions about applying for homeownership through Habitat for Humanity in Pierce & St. Croix Counties.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to apply?
Not necessarily. While many Habitat applicants are first-time buyers, the key requirement is that you do not currently own a home that adequately meets your family's needs. If your current home is unsafe, overcrowded, or inaccessible, you may still qualify.
What income do I need to qualify for a Habitat home?
Income eligibility is based on 40–80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Pierce & St. Croix Counties, and the limits depend on how many people live in your home. As a guide, the lowest income we serve starts at about $36,000 for an individual, while a family of four can have an income as high as about $105,200. The AMI is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) every year, so guidelines are updated annually. You must earn enough to afford a Habitat mortgage, but not so much that you could qualify for a conventional loan. Contact us to confirm where your household falls.
What is sweat equity, and how many hours are required?
Sweat equity means working alongside Habitat volunteers — on your own home or others' — as part of your partnership agreement. The required number of hours varies but is typically 200–400 hours per household. Hours can be completed by adult household members and, in some cases, family friends.
Is a Habitat home a gift? Do I have to pay it back?
No — a Habitat home is not a gift. You purchase your home with an affordable, low-cost mortgage from Habitat for Humanity. Your monthly payments go back into the fund to help build more homes. Habitat homes are sold, not given away.
How long does the application and selection process take?
The timeline varies depending on when applications are open and how many families apply. From submitting a full application to selection typically takes 2–4 months. After selection, completing sweat equity and education before closing can take 6–18 months depending on build schedules.
What if I have bad credit or past financial problems?
A less-than-perfect credit history does not automatically disqualify you. Habitat looks at your overall financial picture and your ability to sustain a mortgage going forward. We also offer homeownership education that can help you prepare financially before and after applying.
Can I choose where my Habitat home is located?
Habitat builds in specific communities based on available land and funding. In Pierce & St. Croix Counties, we build in Hudson and surrounding areas. You will know the general service area before applying, but specific lot locations are determined by Habitat based on available properties.
What is the Critical Home Repair program, and am I eligible?
The Critical Home Repair program helps existing low-income homeowners in Pierce & St. Croix Counties address urgent safety and accessibility issues — such as failing roofs, broken heating systems, and wheelchair ramps. It is separate from the homeownership program. Applications are currently open. Contact us to learn if you qualify.
How do I know if applications are currently open?
Application windows open periodically based on funding and build capacity. The best way to stay informed is to check this page, sign up for our newsletter, or contact our office directly at (715) 386-8727 or info@scvhabitat.org.
Does Habitat for Humanity discriminate in selecting homeowners?
No. St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity selects homeowner families without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. Selection is based solely on housing need, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner.
Do I need to live in Pierce or St. Croix Counties to apply?
Our homeownership program builds homes and serves families in Pierce and St. Croix Counties, Wisconsin. If you're unsure whether your household qualifies based on where you live or work, contact us at (715) 386-8727 or info@scvhabitat.org and we'll walk you through it.
Are there other costs besides my mortgage?
Your monthly housing payment is designed to be affordable — your mortgage is structured to cost no more than 30% of your income, and no down payment is required. As with any home, you'll also be responsible for ongoing costs like utilities, insurance, and maintenance. Our homeownership education classes help you plan for the full cost of owning your home.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Contact our office to find out if applications are currently open and to get answers to any questions about the process. We're here to help you understand your options.

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