Step One - Qualification Guidelines

Find out if your family qualifies to purchase a new Habitat OC home.

Minimum Requirements to Purchase a new Home

Be permanent legal residents of the USA	Able to pay a long-term mortgage
Have good credit	Able to pay 1% down and closing costs
Live or work in Orange County (military exceptions may apply)	Willing to work closely with Habitat OC

Need

Families must have a significant need for improved housing, such as:

• Living in overcrowded, unhealthy conditions or in a dangerous neighborhood.
• Housing costs are 35% or more of your monthly income.
• Families living in subsidized or temporary housing may also be eligible.

 

Ability to Pay

Purchasing a Habitat OC home is a big investment. A family's source of income must be steady and verifiable.

No more than 30% of your monthly income will go towards your monthly housing expenses after you purchase a Habitat OC home.

Generally, your family's annual gross income must be between $40,000 - $75,000. Gross income for all family members who will reside in the home will be reviewed. Gross income means earnings before taxes are taken out. Income includes such things as:

Wages and salaries	Child support
Social Security	Disability Payments

 

To qualify, a family's credit report must show that the family:

Is without too much debt	Has no tax liens
Has paid off accounts in collection or charge-offs	Has been out of bankruptcy at least two years

 

Concerned about your credit? Consider working with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Orange County, a non-profit service. They can help you learn how to reach financial stability. Call 714-547-2227.

Don't meet some of the criteria? Please refer to other organizations that might be able to help your family.

Ready?  Take the next step to understand your investment in the Habitat partnership:

 

We're ready to give your family a hand up!

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of 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.