Homeownership
with Habitat

Homeownership

Homeownership with Habitat

Habitat partners with low-income buyers to purchase homes with an affordable mortgage payment.

Habitat provides buyers with the education and support to be successful in the homebuying journey and beyond. Our homeownership program takes buyers an average of 18-24 months to complete. While in the program buyers are matched with a homeowner advocate, participate in homebuyer education courses, and work on building their credit, savings & budgeting to be in the best financial situation.

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To be notified of homeownership opportunities please complete our Homeownership interest form found here.

Qualification

Need: Applicant(s) are currently in substandard or inadequate (overcrowded, substandard, unsafe, etc.) housing or household income is insufficient for a conventional mortgage.

Ability to Pay: Able to pay a 0% to low interest mortgage, make a 1% down payment, and earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, (view chart below).

Willingness to Partner: Applicant(s) agree to partner with Habitat including completing required hours of sweat equity, homebuyer education classes and other program requirements.

Maximum Income by household size

How to Apply

To be notified when homeownership opportunities are available, complete our homeownership interest form found here.

South County Habitat for Humanity accepts applications on a periodic basis depending on opportunities available. During open application rounds you can submit your complete application along with supporting documentation electronically, via mail, or by dropping it off at our office in Charlestown.

Benefits of Habitat Homeownership

Affordability: Habitat homes are sold to income qualified buyers through a low-interest mortgage with affordable monthly payments equaling 30% or less of your households gross monthly income. Our homes are built to the highest energy efficiency ratings and designed to be easy and low-cost to maintain.

Education: All homebuyers participate in pre-purchase homebuyer education classes to prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership.

Trusted Partner: For more than 34 years, South County Habitat for Humanity has sold Habitat homes to 81 homebuyers.

Journey to Homeownership

7. Home Dedication and Closing

After all sweat equity hours and other program requirements have been satisfied, it is time for the home dedication! This is an exciting event where all of the volunteers, donors, supporters, the Habitat homebuyers, and their friends & family come together at the Habitat home to celebrate the new family. This is a celebration of all the work put into the home.

Soon after the dedication the family will sign their loan agreements and move into their new home.

6. Sweat Equity Begins

After orientation the family will begin completing their Sweat Equity* Requirements and taking a required pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Course.

*Sweat Equity is required hours spent building Habitat homes alongside volunteers, or working with the affiliate in a number of other ways from our our ReStore thrift shop, to helping out at events or in our office performing administrative tasks. Required hours for a single head-of-household is 200 hours or 400 hours for a two head-of-household family.

5. Orientation

Families that are approved for homeownership meet with their newly assigned Homeowner Advocate* and Habitat staff for an in-depth review of the Habitat program. At this time homebuyers sign a Partnership Agreement outlining the program requirements of both the buyer and Habitat.

Homeowner Advocates are Habitat volunteers who volunteer their time partnering with families on their journey to homeownership, serving as a liaison between the family and the affiliate.

4. Board Presentation

Applications that are financially qualified are presented to the Board of Directors for final approval. This is an anonymous process, the Board is not provided with any identifying information, only necessary information relating to income and need for housing.

3. Financial Review

Applications are reviewed for financial eligibility by qualified financial professionals.

2. Submit complete application

Most application rounds are open for a 30-day period, in that time you must submit your complete application and required documentation. If you have any questions during the process contact the Habitat office for assistance. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Applications Open

Applications for Habitat homes open as soon as a project is fully funded, prior to the start of construction or renovation.

Homeownership FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Ramp Up RI

Ramp Up RI is a new program through South County Habitat for Humanity created for low income homeowners in Washington County in need of a handicap ramp for themselves or a household member. Staff and volunteers work together to build a ramp for those who qualify. Eligible projects are funded through grants and no-interest loans.

You may qualify for Ramp Up RI if:

You own your own home and it is located in Washington County, Rhode Island

You have current homeowners insurance

You or someone living with you is in need of a handicap ramp for accessibility

You have not received assistance from South County Habitat for Humanity in the past 3 years

You earn less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) see chart here

How to apply:

South County Habitat for Humanity is currently accepting applications for Ramp Up RI. To receive an application please complete this brief questionnaire or contact us at 401.213.6711.

Serving Washington County since 1990

In our 34 year history we have built 61 homes and repaired or made accessibility modifications on 44 more.

Below is a map highlighting where we have built units of permanent affordable homeownership. We build in all 8 towns of Washington County, Rhode Island.

Where We Build

Homeownership
with Habitat