Eligibility to Become a D.C. Habitat Homeowner
Understanding Our Program
Homeowners are selected based on a variety of criteria: need, ability to pay the no-interest 25-year mortgage and willingness to work together with DC Habitat and its partners.
Need for Improved Housing
- Current housing issues may relate to overcrowding, dangerous neighborhoods, heating, electrical, plumbing or structural deficiencies, or severe rent burden.
Ability to Pay
- Meet stated income guidelines.
- Possess decent credit, demonstrating a history of timely payments.
- Minimum credit score of 585 required. All collections, judgments or liens must be resolved before applying. Bankruptcies must have been discharged for a minimum of three years.
- Apply for and secure Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) financing.
- Pay $500 down payment and up to $2,200 in closing costs.
Willingness to Partner
- Completion and return of application and related materials in timely fashion.
- Contribute 300 hours of “sweat equity.” Up to 150 may be contributed by friends and family.
- Attend homeowner education workshops.
- Demonstrate motivation to properly maintain a home.
Additional Criteria
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Be a first time homebuyer.
*Please note that a divorce must be finalized before we can consider the application.
Income Requirements
Income must be consistent, verifiable, and sufficient to cover debts and expected mortgage payments without burden. Eligible income includes wages from employment, SSI, disability, child support, etc. Our next development is located in the Ivy City neighborhood of Northeast Washington, D.C.
Please note that the following figures are general guidelines and that specific income limits may vary from development to development.
Household Size |
Minimum Annual Household Income |
Maximum Annual Household Income (up to 50% AMI) |
1 |
Minimum income to apply for HPAP: $22,000
|
$45,100 |
2 |
$51,550 |
|
3 |
$58,000 |
|
4 |
$64,000 |
|
5 |
$69,600 |
|
6 |
$74,750 |
|
7 |
$79,900 |
|
8 |
$85,050 |
Minimum income determined by projected ability to pay estimated mortgage, insurance and tax expenses.
Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. reserves the right to revise these guidelines at any time.
