APPLICATION PROCESS

Applying to Habitat’s Home Ownership Program

Step 1: Thinking About It

Since we only accept applications when we have homes for sale, we get a lot of questions about how to prepare in between application cycles. Habitat program applications require a lot of paperwork. That’s one of the reasons we only open applications for specific homes — so we don’t waste anyone’s time applying when we don’t have a home that will work for their family. We also do not keep a “waitlist” of applicants. You can sign up to be notified about our application cycles here.

Is homeownership right for you at this time?

Homeownership is a big deal. When you rent your home, you don’t have to think about property taxes, mowing a lawn or repairs. It’s also a lot easier to move homes if your situation changes like expanding your family or getting a new job. It’s a BIG responsibility, but owning a Habitat home also comes with lots of good things. Like equity and wealth building, affordable monthly housing payments, and freedom to add personal touches to your home.

Think about whether you need flexibility in where you live for the next 10-15 years. Or maybe you’re feeling ready to put down deep roots!

Do you like to take care of property like landscaping, fixing plumbing issues, and thinking about routine maintenance tasks? Or would you prefer to just call your property manager or landlord? Not everyone wants to worry about the hassle of managing a property, and that’s ok!

Step 2: Application Cycles

So you’ve already signed up for notifications. You’ve read the Family Partner Qualification Requirements and decided the program would be a good fit for your family and you want to partner with us to achieve your goal. Now, you’re just waiting until the application cycle opens up.

Why do we have applications cycles instead of rolling applications?

  1. Fair housing laws prohibit us from keeping a waitlist. This gives everyone a fair opportunity to apply for available homes.

  2. The prices, sizes, and location of available homes change. Applications take a lot of work to complete and to review, so cycling applications means you are putting in the work for a specific home that you truly want. It also ensures we are qualifying applicants for a specific home they can afford.

  3. We build in cycles, so applications can fit into how we manage projects. We usually wait until we have begun construction to open applications. This is because it is easier to predict a completion date. Many things can delay construction projects, like funding availability and obtaining permits. So, we want to make sure we really can build the homes we’re advertising!

  4. Neighbors of the same project enter the program at the same time. They get to go through all the steps at the same time and build a sense of community.

Step 3: The Application

You’ve waited for the right opportunity with Habitat and you think it’s finally here. The application can feel overwhelming. You’ll need to gather lots of documents and answer a lot of questions. It’s okay to feel daunted; this is a BIG decision!

Getting the pre-qualification form and application

Once the Application Cycle opens, pre-qualification forms and then the full applications are available online for download. You can also pick up printed copies during an application cycle at our office: 471 Overseas Highway, Suite 102, Key West FL 33040 (Big Coppitt). Click here to send an email to our Family Services Coordinator for additional information.

Filling out the pre-qualification and application

The pre-qualification form is a self-assessment to give Habitat an idea if your family is a good fit for the homes being built. You will fill this out first, it will be assessed, and if your family seems to fit the homes being built you will proceed to the full application.

The full application package includes:

  • A self-assessment to determine if you meet our criteria.

  • The location of available homes.

  • Information about the program and application process.

  • The application, where you’ll outline your information, willingness to partner, current housing need employment information, financial situation, and authorization to perform a credit check.

Once you have the application in hand, read through it carefully and note the due date.

Next, make sure to go through each question of the application carefully. You’ll see a chart that explains the acceptable income range for the application, by family size.

We also get a lot of questions on credit scores. You do not need a particular credit score to apply. Each application is reviewed holistically, and a “better” credit score will not put your application at an advantage over another qualified applicant. Habitat does, however, look at whether you have a history of on-time payments. That is important in determining whether you will qualify for a mortgage.

What you’ll need to gather

Along with your entire application, each applicant will need to submit:

  • Identification for all members of the family

  • Proof of income from all sources in the form of paystubs and other supporting documents

  • Two years of most recent tax returns – signed and complete

  • Three months of most recent bank statements for all accounts

  • Proof of US residency

If you’re waiting for an application cycle to open, you can still prepare by gathering documents. For a full checklist of documents needed, click the button below.

Step 4: Submitting the Application

After you have submitted an application by mail to P.O. Box 5873, Key West, FL 33045 or directly to our office at 471 Overseas Highway, Suite 102, Key West FL 33040 (Big Coppitt) by the deadline given, your application will be reviewed for completeness by our team.

If you meet Habitat program guidelines, your application will be reviewed by our Family Partner Selection Committee. Once we have qualified buyers for each home in the cycle, we will reach out to you to let you know if you have been qualified into the program. From there, you’ll sign a partnership agreement and formally enter the your journey to Habitat homeownership!

Notice of Adverse Action

If your application is not approved, you’ll receive a notice of adverse action.

Possible reasons your application could be rejected:

  • Insufficient income: Household income is too low to support existing debt payments and does not meet our affordability criteria for the home you applied for. We encourage you to re-apply in the future when your debt payments have decreased or your household income has increased.

  • Insufficient credit: Credit report showed accounts in collection and/or loan charge-offs and/or recent late payments and does not meet our credit history criteria. We recommend credit counseling to improve your credit score and payment history, and to re-apply in the future when your credit has improved. A credit report is used in this determination, and we will provide you with the name and contact information for the credit agency that provided the report.

  • Income too high: The applicant’s income is over the Habitat program limits.

  • Does not live or work in Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys Service Area. Homebuyers must have lived or worked in the Lower Florida Keys for at least one year.

  • Has owned a home in the last 3 years: Habitat is a first-time homebuyer program, and the applicant has previously owned a home or property in the past three years.

  • Recently declared bankruptcy: Applicant has declared bankruptcy within the last 4 years.

  • The home(s) you applied for have been sold to other qualified applicants. You did not complete the application you submitted by the stated deadline, or you submitted an application after the stated deadline. Or, the home you applied for already has another applicant under purchase contract.