Do I qualify?

To be eligible to purchase a Habitat home, you must meet the following 4 criteria:

1. You must live or work in the county in which you are applying for a minimum of 1 year.

2. Have a housing need. Applicants must currently be living in inadequate housing that is not affordable for their income.

3. Have the ability to pay:

• Stable income for at least one year and the ability to make monthly mortgage payments, but too low to secure a conventional loan.
• Income between 30-60 percent of HUD's area median income (see guidelines below)
• Verification of earned income with a most recent Federal Income Tax Return and verification of all other income.
• Satisfactory housing expense and debt to income ratio.
• Legal right to work in the United States
• A satisfactory credit history reflecting acceptance of responsibility for debt. All collection accounts and financial judgments paid in full. No Chapter 7 bankruptcy within three years or Chapter 13 within 18 months prior to applying.
• Ability to save $1,000 for down payment
• Proof of their ability to live financially independent for 18 months before the application is approved.
• Applicants must not be registered sex offender and will be subject to a criminal background check.

For a detailed chart and further explanation, please visit this URL.

* The FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act changed the definition of extremely low-income to be the greater of 30/50ths (60 percent) of the Section 8 very low-income limit or the poverty guideline as established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided that this amount is not greater than the Section 8 50% very low-income limit. Consequently, the extremely low income limits may equal the very low (50%) income limits.

Income Limit areas are based on FY 2019 Fair Market Rent (FMR) areas. For information on FMRs, please see our associated FY 2019 Fair Market Rent documentation system.

4. Willingness to partner with Habitat

• Be honest and cooperative with Habitat for Humanity of Harnett County.
• Willing to complete a minimum or 300 "sweat equity" hours per adult (18 years or older) and 60 hours per teen (16-17 years of age).
• Participate in Home Buyer Education Program of 15 workshops.

If you meet the eligibility requirements and would like to start the process to be a Habitat Partner Click Here to sign up for the next potential homeowners meeting. You will receive the application and more information at the meeting.