Criteria

We build in select areas of Orange and Osceola Counties. Click here to see where we are currently building.  Buyers must have established residency over the last 12 consecutive months in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk, Seminole, Volusia or Brevard Counties.

The “American Dream” of homeownership becomes a reality for families in need through the work of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County. We pride ourselves on being a hand up for our families and not a handout. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest their own labor, also known as “sweat equity” – into building their home and the homes of others. They also attend Habitat U – homebuyer education classes that include financial literacy, home maintenance, disaster prep – and housing counseling.

Our housing program is underwritten by philanthropic donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations as well as grants. This allows us to sell brand-new, energy-efficient homes with affordable mortgages.

You and your family will be considered if your total income is between the income range.  This income is based on family size and is represented in the chart below:

*Please note that our minimum and maximum income limits are subject to change at any time.

**Applications will not be approved if the household income is below the minimum amount listed for the household size.

You will need to qualify for the mortgage loan as well as meet our income criteria. In addition, you must:

• Not have any unpaid non-medical charge-offs on your credit report.
• Meet the debt to income ratio. The total of your monthly debt payments (including the estimated mortgage payment) cannot exceed 47% of your gross monthly income (based on credit history, some borrowers may have a maximum debt ratio of 36%).
• Pay your rent on time.
• Had stable income for the last year.
• Have not declared bankruptcy in the last 24 months.

Click here to view HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies.

To fulfill the requirements for demonstrating a willingness to partner,

• You must be willing to partner with Habitat Orlando & Osceola and work 56 hours of “sweat equity” for a single applicant or 86 hours of “sweat equity” for a two-person applicant.
• You must be willing to work with a mentor or counselor to make sure you continue to meet our credit/income requirements as you wait to close on your home.
• You must attend the required homeowner classes as scheduled.
• You will encourage other families to participate in the Habitat program.
• You will be responsible for maintenance of your house from the time you move into your home.
• You will be responsible for repaying the purchase cost of your home in a timely manner so that other families can benefit from the Habitat program.

No, we are not a giveaway program. In addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hours of their own labor — sweat equity – into building their Habitat home and the homes of others. A single head of a household invests 56 hours, while dual heads of a household invest 86 hours before closing on their home.

Sweat Equity is volunteer work with Habitat Orlando & Osceola. It is your investment in Habitat’s work and mission; it is also an expression of your partnership with Habitat Orlando & Osceola. Your sweat equity is as important to the process of becoming a Habitat homeowner as are your closing costs. Sweat equity hours will be tracked once you are approved as a future homeowner.

Sweat Equity hours can be earned in several ways. This is a short list of possible ways to earn sweat equity:

• Construction work (Build Site)
• Participating in fundraising activities and public speaking
• Attending education programs and training sessions approved by Habitat

We will work with individuals on a case-by-case basis and make accommodations on our build site and in our office when possible so you can complete your hours. The required sweat equity hours can be performed in a number of ways. Future homeowners can receive credits toward their hours by attending the required homebuyer classes, and even get credit for the good grades of their children.

While we don’t require that you be a first-time homebuyer, some of our partners do require that you have not owned a home in the last three years to participate in their down payment assistance programs.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola works in good faith with applicant families who qualify as low or moderate income by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards. While some homeowners can qualify for a home with only unearned income, the vast majority of our homeowners are employed.

Buyers must have established residency over the last 12 consecutive months in Orange, Osceola, Lake, Polk Seminole, Volusia or Brevard Counties.

Unfortunately, we do not have a realtor’s program. Once an applicant applies, we work directly with the client.

Homes are sold at the appraised market value. The actual dollar amount varies depending on the specific home. Homeowners’ payments consist of the mortgage loan amount (principal), real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance and possible HOA dues (escrow).

There are several variables that contribute to how quickly a person can move into their home. Typically, an approved applicant can move into their Habitat home approximately a year after approval.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola will pull a credit report to review any accumulated debt and how you have handled payments in the past. If it is determined that your debt load will impede your ability to take on more debt (e.g., a mortgage), we will refer you to a credit counselor who can work with you on ways to build your credit. We require a minimum credit score of 650. Alternative lines of credit may be considered if an applicant does not have any credit scores.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola accepts applications from single adults and families of any size or makeup during an open enrollment period. Habitat will review the products that we have available (if any) for your family size and income before approving you for the program.

Future homeowners can select from different sites or units we are currently building that are appropriate for your family size and income. If you decline, you are withdrawing the application submitted. You are welcome to re-apply later.

Due to the legal complexity and significant risk to both the Homeowner Applicant and Habitat Orlando & Osceola, it is Habitat’s policy that we will not build on property that is owned or has been previously owned by approved Homeowner Applicants.

Habitat Orlando & Osceola will choose the design of the house in accordance with the size of the lot and available funding. No change in design will be considered unless a partner family requires structural modification for a family member with a disability. Homeowners may choose the outside colors of the home, cabinets, countertops, and flooring from the options that we have available.

Yes. However, homeowners will be responsible for complying with all rules for any assistance program in which they benefited from in purchasing their home.

Yes, but there are mechanisms in place to limit the amount of profit you can realize. The amount of profit you can realize goes up the longer you have owned the home.

Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people in need without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income, or other characteristics protected by law. Three criteria drive the homeowner selection process: Need, willingness to partner with Habitat, and the ability to make the required mortgage payments.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian housing organization. We are not affiliated with the government, nor with any church or denomination. You can find our non-proselytizing policy on our website in the “about us” section.