What are the qualifications to become a Cincinnati Habitat Partner Family?

(You must meet all of the following criteria to be considered to buy a home)

• Earn a minimum monthly household income of at least $1,600.00 per month
  This includes gross wages and other sources of income such as food stamps, child support, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability, Ohio Works First, etc.
• Commit to investing a minimum of 500 hours of sweat equity into the building of your home
  Each family is expected to be on their construction site each of the estimated 25-30 Saturdays it will take to build their home.
• Demonstrate a housing need
  Families that demonstrate a housing need are spending over 25% of monthly income on rent, live in overcrowded conditions, are living with family or friends, have substandard living conditions in the current home, etc.
• Commit to attending 4 home ownership classes
  These classes will include:
  • the history of Habitat for Humanity International and Cincinnati Habitat
  • an overview of Cincinnati Habitat policies and procedures for building and purchasing a home
  • landscaping and lawn care equipment
  • home maintenance with Gary Sullivan
  • a closing workshop covering the aspects of purchasing a Cincinnati Habitat home
• Commit to attending 5 one-on-one financial counseling sessions with SmartMoney Community Services after being approved to build and buy a home with Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity
• Commit to attending a 9-week volunteer construction training program
• Inability to qualify for a conventional mortgage
• No bankruptcy filed within the past three years
  It must be three years from the date of discharge for your application to be considered.
• Demonstrate an ability to repay an estimated monthly mortgage of $400.00 per month
  (including closing costs, taxes and insurance)
• No felony convictions within the past five years
• No more than 36% of your gross monthly income may be spent on an estimated mortgage payment of $400.00 and your monthly debt combined
• A credit report will be pulled for each applicant
  If there are any "bad" debt items over $500.00, a written payment plan with the creditor owed must be provided.

Successful Children
Children of homeowners are 25% more likely to graduate from high school and 116% more likely to graduate from college

Stronger Families
Homeowners are 16% more likely to belong to parent-teacher organizations and 10% more likely to attend church

Stronger Communities
Homeowners are 28% more likely to repair or improve their homes.

Community Wealth
1% increase in home-ownership rates increases the value of surrounding homes by $800

Homeownership changes lives, strengthens families, and builds stronger communities.