Home Ownership is possible.

We believe that everyone deserves a safe, decent, affordable place to call home.

ABOUT:

Our home-ownership program provides opportunities for low-income individuals and families to increase their independence and economic well-being through affordable home-ownership.

We work with families to make home ownership accessible! Our organization collects the same information that mortgage companies use to qualify applicants for a mortgage. Our families pay a mortgage, insurance and property taxes on their homes. Applicants must show proof that they are capable of affording a mortgage payment.
Families who qualify for our program have stable incomes. Income Level is just one aspect of owning a home through Habitat. Applicants must also show need, and be willing to partner on the build process.

How does habitat for humanity's homeownership program work?

Families and individuals in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership as home applications begin to be taken. Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:

The applicant’s level of need.
Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.

As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.

How does this work?

Home Ownership with Habitat

At St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity, everyone is welcome.

We believe Everyone deserves a safe place to live. And partnerships require shared effort and investment. Habitat does NOT give away homes for free. Approved family partners, who meet low-income guidelines set by HUD, show need for safe, affordable shelter, pay an affordable mortgage, contribute hundreds of hours to help build their home.

Need

Families may find themselves in need of decent shelter due to a variety of circumstances — unpredictable rent increases, overcrowded living conditions, damaged or dilapidated structures, unsafe neighborhoods, or lack of access to land and affordable financing.

When families partner with Habitat, they start down a new path — one with far fewer barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life.

Income-guidelines and Financial Expectations

Prospective households are low to moderate income. We partner with families whose income does not exceed 80% of the area median income as defined for the area by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat makes a reasonable effort to ensure that an affordable mortgage does not exceed 30% of the homeowner’s gross monthly income. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.

Willingness to Partner

Habitat homeowners play a hands-on role in the homeownership process, beginning with the sweat equity hours they perform. To fulfill sweat equity hours, they work alongside volunteers to help build and renovate the places they will call home. Some also work toward this requirement by putting in time at our Habitat ReStore, while others may serve on committees or help out in our local Habitat office. Future homeowners are also required to attend financial education and budget-planning classes.

High costs, low inventory: a path to home ownership

Affordable housing sets the course for lifelong success. We can help.

We partner with people to build home ownership opportunities in PIerce & St. Croix Counties, two of the most expensive counties in the state of Wisconsin.

Here's how our Habitat affiliate works once we open up applications:

A future homebuyer must meet income guidelines of 40-80% of the area median income (as set by HUD).
There must be proof of need: lack of housing, unsafe or unhealthy conditions, growing family, are just a few needs.
Every partner homeowner will contribute sweat equity (volunteer hours on the building or repair of a home).