Become a Homeowner
We are not accepting homeowner applications for 2008.
If you are interested in receiving information at the start of our next application period (early 2009), you may send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia
Attn: Kathy White
1829 N 19th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19121
(Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Applying)
For more information about the application
process,
click here for our
Homeowner brochure.
The Habitat Homeownership Program/ Partner Family Program
What is a Partner Family?
Partner Familes agree to:
- Assist in the construction of their and other homes by contributing 350 sweat equity hours.
- Attend mandatory homeowner educational workshops.
Habitat For Humanity Philadelphia agrees to:
- offer 0% interest, 20, 25 or 30 year mortgages
- construct decent, affordable homes for (and with) the Family Partners
- enlist the help of corporate and individual volunteers to assist in the building of the homes
Who is eligible to become a Partner Family?
- People interested in home ownership who are not able to secure conventional mortgages through mainstream lending institutions
- People who are willing to contribute a minimum of 350 sweat equity hours (This is at least 14 hours per month for up to two years)
- Persons who(se)
- Are currently living in overcrowded, substandard and/or dangerous housing conditions
- Current family size can be accommodated by the houses we are building
- Total household income falls between 30% and 50% of the Philadelphia median income for comparable family size:
| Year 2008 Income Guidelines | ||
| Family Size | Minimum 30% | Maximum 50% |
| One | $15,600 | $26,000 |
| Two | $17,850 | $29,700 |
| Three | $20,050 | $33,450 |
| Four | $22,300 | $37,150 |
| Five | $24,100 | $40,100 |
| Six | $25,850 | $43,100 |
| Seven | $27,650 | $46,050 |
| Eight | $29,450 | $49,050 |
Top 10 Things You Can Do to Prepare for Applying:
- Collect and save W-2 statements from all employers for the past two years. (2007 & 2008)
- Collect and save tax returns with all schedules for the past two years. (2007 & 2008) Request transcripts for free by calling 1-800-829-1040.
- Collect proof of income for the following items: SSI, Child Support, Food Stamps, Alimony, etc.
- Save your pay stubs. These will be required for up to two months when you apply.
- Save your bank statements for all accounts (checking and/or savings). These will be required for two months when you apply.
- Gather complete addresses and telephone numbers for:
- landlord
- employers for the past two years
- banks where you have accounts
- creditors that you are paying
- If applicable, gather copies of all bankruptcy papers and/or divorce or separation papers.
- Be sure you have a photo ID and a Social Security Card.
- Start working on debts on your credit report. You can get your free credit
report by going to
www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228. Be sure to clear any judgments. - Think positively; even if you don’t get accepted this year you can always apply the following year!
Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia abides by the Fair Housing Act
and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to
discriminate against any person in the sale, rental, advertising or financing of
housing, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status
or national origin. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act makes it unlawful for any
creditor to discriminate against any applicant, with respect to any aspect of a
credit transaction, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex
or marital status, age (provided the applicant is old enough to enter into a
contract), source of income (such as public assistance) or because the applicant
has in good faith exercised any right under the federal consumer credit laws.