Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Opportunities

Qualifying families live in the Greate Worcester area, earn between 25 - 60% of the area median income.

Eligibility & How to Apply

Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester uses three criteria to select potential partner families:

1)    A Need for Adequate Shelter and Affordable Housing: This may include, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Problems with building such as rotting wood, water damage, missing floorboards, unsafe/missing handrails, inadequate heating, electricity, plumbing, etc.
  • Overcrowding: more than 3 family members in a bedroom, insufficient bedrooms
  • Insufficient housing: family living with relatives/friends, in shelter, other temporary living situations, homelessness
  • High rent: 50% or more of family gross income spent on housing
  • Issue with landlord: inadequate landlord maintenance
  • Safety issues: unsafe neighborhood, insufficient fire exits, hazardous or toxic materials

2)    Ability to pay for a Habitat home:

  • Income: Gross family income is 25-60% Greater Worcester median family income
  • Responsibility: Demonstrated ability to make payments in a timely manner
  • Debt: Projected debt payments (including the Habitat mortgage) should not be greater then 50% of the family’s monthly income
  • Assets: Household assets should not exceed $75,000
  • Bankruptcy:  Applicant should not have declared bankruptcy in the past two years

3)    Willingness to partner with Habitat:

  • Applicants must attend monthly Family Partner Committee meetings
  • Applicants must complete sweat equity hours on the construction of their own or other Habitat home as well as required and recommended homeownership classes, dedications, Habitat events and other tasks
  • Qualified applicants for a Habitat home must be documented residents of the United States and first time homebuyers

**The Family Selection Committee uses the criteria to select families in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status or because all or part of the applicant’s income is derived from public assistance.

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 is no discrimination in housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, or national origin. **