If you and your family meet the Homeownership Program Requirements you are invited to apply. Please call Donna at 716-951-8111 before starting this application.
Applications are always open!
You can apply at any time.
When a house becomes available, we work to match the family according to location and size of the house.
For more information about home ownership, please call 716.488.6955 or 716.863.4475 or email boardcahfh@gmail.com
Step 1:
Call 716-951-8111 to speak to a Family Committee member about qualifying for the Habitat Homeownership Program. To be eligible for the Homeownership Program a family must meet 5 criteria:
a. First time homeowner
b. Children under 18 years of age
c. Steady, reliable income
d. Inadequate living conditions
e. Able and willing to work ‘sweat equity’ hours
Step 2:
If the family meets the above listed criteria an application will be sent. The application packet includes Habitat Homeownership Program Application, a Credit Release form for Habitat for Humanity New York State, an Authorization for Release of Information for Chautauqua Area Habitat for Humanity, and a USDA Rural Housing Service Pre-Qualification Worksheet.
Step 3:
When your application and supporting documentation is complete, you will submit them to one of our banking partners for mortgage pre-approval. If the number of mortgage pre-approved applicants exceeds the number of properties, then we have a waiting list based on the order in which the applications were completed and approved.
Step 4:
When your application packet is returned, an initial financial review will be conducted by USDA. Dependent upon the results of this initial review, the family will be advised to improve their financial situation. Some applicants may be in this phase for an extended period as they improve their credit worthiness.
At this time an appointment will be made with the Family for Family Committee members to visit them in their home. The purpose for this visit is to verify ‘inadequate living conditions’ and to also meet the family members and answer any questions they may have.
Step 5:
Once pre-approved for a mortgage, you will be matched with a property and invited to become a Habitat Future Homeowner Family. Partner Families agree to invest up to 500 hours of time and labor (’sweat equity’), 250 per adult in household, as a down payment on their home. Future Homeowners agree to attend classes designed to prepare them for homeownership (CHRIC First Time Homebuyers Classes) and to save $7,000 to be paid toward closing costs.
When the house is completed, and all requirements are met the family will purchase the house at market value and it will be financed with an affordable mortgage.
For more information, please contact us at 716.488-6955 or 716.863.4475 or boardcahfh@gmail.com
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
What We Do
Our Impact
Increased tax base for communities in which we build
Improved neighborhoods
34
Homes Built