Apply to the Program

Your path to homeownership starts here.

Ready to Apply

A foundation for a Better Future

Affordable homeownership can improve financial security, provide a safe and stable environment for children to grow, and allow families to invest in their futures instead of struggling with rising housing costs. Through partnership, education, and support, Habitat homeownership helps build stronger families and stronger communities. As a Habitat homeowner, you’ll not only buy a home, but you’ll gain the strength, stability, and self-reliance that comes with it creating a strong foundation for generations to come.

Get Involved

Eligibility

Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program is designed for individuals and families who are ready to partner in the journey toward affordable homeownership.

Applicants are evaluated based on three key criteria:

  • A need for safe and affordable housing
  • The ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage
  • Willing to partner with Habitat by contributing sweat equity in the construction of your home

How to Apply

Interested in applying for a home with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County? Follow the steps below!

Attend at homeowner information meeting

Homeowner information meetings are free, hour-long sessions that tell you everything you need to know about becoming a homeowner with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.

To be eligible for consideration, all applicants and co-applicants who are 18 years of age or older and who will live in the household must attend a homeowner information meeting. Once you have completed your application and gathered all required documents, you may submit your application during an open application period.

Find an upcoming meeting

Complete your application

Interested applicants can download and print a PDF version of our application, or pick up a copy of the application at our administration office. As part of the application process, Habitat reviews income and credit information, household details, and proof of at least one year of residency in Monroe County.

Download the application in English Descargue la solicitud en español

Meet with Our Team!

Qualified applications are then reviewed by our Homeowner Selection Committee. If the Homeowner Selection Committee determines that you meet the need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner, they will make a recommendation to our Board of Directors for final approval.

Start Building!

If selected for the Habitat homeownership program, you will partner with our team throughout the process. You’ll complete homeownership education classes and earn sweat equity by volunteering at Habitat build sites and the ReStore. Once all the program requirements are met and your home is complete, you’ll close on your mortgage and move into your new home.

How to Apply

Interested in applying for a home with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County? Follow the steps below!

  • Attend at homeowner information meeting

Homeowner information meetings are free, hour-long sessions that tell you everything you need to know about becoming a homeowner with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.

To be eligible for consideration, all applicants and co-applicants who are 18 years of age or older and who will live in the household must attend a homeowner information meeting. Once you have completed your application and gathered all required documents, you may submit your application during an open application period.

Find an upcoming meeting
  • Complete your application

Interested applicants can download and print a PDF version of our application, or pick up a copy of the application at our administration office. As part of the application process, Habitat reviews income and credit information, household details, and proof of at least one year of residency in Monroe County.

Download the application in English Descargue la solicitud en español
  • Meet with Our Team!

Qualified applications are then reviewed by our Homeowner Selection Committee. If the Homeowner Selection Committee determines that you meet the need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner, they will make a recommendation to our Board of Directors for final approval.

  • Start Building!

If selected for the Habitat homeownership program, you will partner with our team throughout the process. You’ll complete homeownership education classes and earn sweat equity by volunteering at Habitat build sites and the ReStore. Once all the program requirements are met and your home is complete, you’ll close on your mortgage and move into your new home.

Application Checklist

  • Homeowner Application
  • Information for Government Monitoring
    Purposes
  • Form 4506C
  • Non-Filling of Federal Income Taxes Form
  • Landlord Reference
  • Employer References
  • Government-Issued Photo IDs
  • Most recent six weeks of pay stubs
  • Profit and Loss Statement, if self-employed or
    receiving cash income
  • Form 1040 U.S. Individual Tax Return
  • Lease agreement
  • Proof of most recent rent payment
  • Most recent statements for any public
    assistance (Social Security, food stamps, etc.)
  • Copies of the past 12 months of utility bills (if
    no landlord reference)
  • Statements or bills showing your total
    monthly student loan payment (if applicable)

Attend an Information Meeting

Homeowner Information Meetings provide everything you need to know about becoming a Habitat homeowner. You’ll learn about the homeownership program, explore examples of Habitat homes, review program requirements, and receive a step-by-step overview of the application and selection process.

To be eligible for consideration, all applicants and co-applicants who are 18 years of age or older and who will live in the household must attend a homeowner information meeting.

Gray house project
Emmanuel Kanamuli & Onga Masumbuko

“My favorite part of the program is Habitat’s commitment to bringing people together as a community. The process is a lot of hard work and can take a long time, but my best advice is to encourage and support others in the program along the way.”

-Emmanuel and Onga

Habitat Homeowners

Income Eligibility

You will need to submit proof of income, so we may calculate your annual household income.

Annual Gross Income Guidelines for Consideration

Family Size

Min. Income

Max. Income

1

$26,556

$60,696

2

$30,348

$69,696

3

$34,152

$78,048

4

$37,956

$86,700

5

$41,004

$93,648

6

$44,004

$100,596

7

$47,052

$107,556

8

$50,100

$114,456

Please refer to the application to see what documents are required for each specific income type.

Income Calculator

Enter the total monthly gross income for your household below to see if you meet the Income Guidelines for Consideration.

If you meet the Income Guidelines, please consider taking our self-assessment.

Please note: The self-assessment is not an application for the Homeownership Program. It is a helpful first step that provides an indication of whether you may be eligible. 

After completing the self-assessment, you’ll receive information about whether you meet the program’s basic eligibility guidelines and, if applicable, how to connect with us about the next steps.

Take the self-assessment

Selection

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County provides qualifying households the opportunity to purchase a home with an affordable mortgage in Monroe County, Indiana. Applications are reviewed by the Homeowner Selection Committee, which evaluates each applicant’s need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. Qualified applicants are then recommended to the Board of Directors for final approval.

We believe everyone deserves access to the stability, dignity, and independence that come with homeownership. When you submit an application, the main areas we consider include: income, credit history, residency, and whether you are a first-time homebuyer.

FAQ

No. Habitat for Humanity homes are sold to qualified partner families through affordable mortgages. Homebuyers also contribute sweat equity hours by volunteering on Habitat build sites and/or at the ReStore, and they pay modest closing costs as part of the home buying process.

On average, the Habitat homebuying process takes about 18–24 months. However, timelines vary depending on factors such as land availability, completion of sweat equity hours, and each applicant’s commitment to partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County throughout the process.

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County sells homes to qualified homebuyers at the assessed value without adding profit. Unlike traditional bank loans that include interest payments, Habitat offers affordable, interest-free mortgages to help make homeownership possible for local families.

Sweat equity is Habitat for Humanity’s term for the volunteer hours partner families contribute while working toward homeownership. These hours help build your future home and support Habitat’s mission in the community. Each adult member of the household (18 years and older) is required to complete 250 sweat equity hours. Depending on your schedule and availability, completing these hours can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months per person.

The primary way to earn sweat equity hours is by volunteering on the Habitat construction site. If you are physically able, at least 100 hours must be completed on the build site. Additional sweat equity hours can be earned by volunteering at the ReStore, helping in the administrative office, and attending required homeownership classes.

If you need to sell your home before your mortgage is fully paid off, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County has the first right to buy it back. If purchased, the home is then resold to another partner family through the Habitat program.

Yes, Habitat homes include a one-year warranty on all work completed by Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. The warranty covers workmanship, including plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling systems, and does not include issues related to normal wear and tear.

Questions?

Contact us to learn more about becoming a homeowner through Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.

Contact Us