Who is eligible to apply for a Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) House

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County selects families to enter the Homeownership Program based on three criteria: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. Through an application process Habitat CFC determines if families meet the criteria. Below is a general outline of those criteria.

Need:

  • Present living conditions are inadequate OR
  • Paying more than 30% of your income towards rent OR
  • You are unable to obtain adequate housing through conventional means.

Ability to pay:

  • Must have adequate income to pay an affordable mortgage as well as utilities, water, sewer and general home maintenance expenses.
  • Must demonstrate ability to keep current with the monthly mortgage payments (principle and escrow)
  • Must have a decent credit (no collections, no charge off’s).

Families who earn enough money to qualify for a conventional mortgage from a bank are not qualified for a Habitat house.

Willingness to Partner:

Habitat families are required to partner with us and complete all hours of “partnership equity” prior to purchasing their home. Partnership Equity includes but is not limited to time spend building homes, volunteering at the Restore, participating in home buyer educational programs, and attending community events.

The Partnership Equity hours are to be completed by all adults who are 18 years of age or older and will be living in the Habitat home, an exception will be made for 18- to 22-year-old full time students.

  • 1 Adult:  200 hours (50 hours can be donated by family & friends)
  • 2 Adults: 400 hours (100 hours can be donated by family & friends)
  • 3 + Adults: 500 hours (50 hours can be donated by family & friends)

Applicant(s) is/are required to meet several qualifications to ensure success:

  • Be citizens or legal residents.
  • Live or work in the Coastal Fairfield County.
  • Not have declared bankruptcy or foreclosure for a minimum of three (3) years.
  • Have decent credit and be keeping up with their utility bills.
  • Earn a yearly income that falls within minimum and maximum limits, depending on household size.
  • Does not currently own a home nor has owned a home in the past 3 years.

If an applicant (s) is/are accepted into the Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County Future Homeownership Program they must:

  • Invest sweat-equity in building their home and others.
  • Attend future homeowner education classes.

If you have special circumstances, please contact layala@habitatcfc.org.

Habitat for Humanity Coastal Fairfield County does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, color, age, medical condition, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, gender identity or expression or any other category protected by law, or because all or part of the income is derived from any public assistance program that will produce income for the long term.