Become a Habitat Homeowner
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over. Working with us from beginning to end helps prospective homeowners prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance, upkeep and much more.
Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication that helps to ensure the long-term success of homeowners.
How to qualify for a Habitat home
Click here to see a “Do I qualify Checklist” Haga clic aquí para ver una lista de verificación “¿Califico” en español?
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Every Habitat home is an investment. For us, it is one answer to a critical need, and we believe that stronger homes will create stronger communities.
Qualifying families must be able to:
Demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing
Verify Income:
For Beaufort County, between 30% and 80% of area median income
For Jasper County, between 40% and 80% of area median income
Be able to pay an interest-free, affordable mortgage that will be cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses
Be able to pay closing costs of 2% of sales price
Be able to perform mandatory "Sweat Equity" hours
Have a willingness to attend mandatory educational workshops
Be legal U. S. residents, who have lived or worked in Beaufort or Jasper County for a minimum of six months prior to application.
Be currently living in substandard housing, which can mean it is overcrowded, in poor repair, in an unsafe neighborhood, or overpriced. If the applicant is living with friends or relatives, or is homeless, that can be taken into consideration.
Be able to show responsible credit history via a credit check. Credit is not expected to be perfect, but a poor credit history is taken into consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where do I fill out an application?
Applications are only distributed during open application periods. New Family Orientation meetings are held on an as needed basis. These meetings explain the homeowner program in detail and provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions. Please check our website periodically to see when meetings are scheduled.
Q. Where do you build homes?
We build homes on land in Beaufort County and in Jasper County.
Q. Are the homes free?
No. All homeowners pay for their homes with a no-interest, no-profit mortgage. Mortgage payments are designed to be affordable.
Q. Do I have to do all of the sweat equity myself?
No. In fact, homeowners are encouraged to ask their friends, family, co-workers and church members for help with some of the sweat equity required of our partners.
Q. If I’m selected for the program, can I choose the size and style of the home?
No. We build from a selection of Habitat floor plans. We choose the floor plan best suited for a piece of land and appropriateness for family size. We also occasionally rehabilitate homes.
For more information and to learn more about the process or how you can apply, please email janhunter@habitathhi.org or call 843.681.5864.
Steps to becoming a homeowner
Step 1: When the application period opens, we will host a New Family Orientation Meeting, which will give you the opportunity of learn more about our program, get answers to your questions and learn how to complete the application form.
Step 2: Once a completed application and all supporting documentation has been submitted, we will review your application for qualification. If your family qualifies to this point, home visits will be scheduled by our Family Selection Team.
Step 3: The Family Selection Team will then decide whether or not to recommend your family for partnership, at which point our Board of Directors will approve or deny your application.
Step 4: If approved, you will be assigned a Family Support Partner and can begin earning sweat equity. Your Family Support Partner will support you throughout your progress on sweat equity hours and educational workshops and will monitor and report your progress and any family changes to Habitat.
