Homeownership Program
How to Apply
Habitat Greater Boston is not currently accepting applications for our homeownership program.
Our next selection process will be for five new 3-bedroom homes in Malden.
To be notified once applications are available later this year, please click here.
Questions
Our Mailing Address
240 Commercial Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
1
Please check back here for more information about the Malden selection process and to download and application once it is available. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at familyselection@habitatboston.org.
2
Your application will be evaluated based on three main areas:
Need: Current housing is substandard or inadequate (overcrowded, too expensive or unsafe) or family income is insufficient to afford a conventional mortgage.
Ability to Pay: Secure employment, good credit, legal residency, and able to make affordable mortgage payments.
Willingness to Partner: Family agrees to work with Habitat and our volunteers for at least 300 hours (two-parent family) or 250 hours (single-parent family) building Habitat homes or working in our ReStore.
3
You may receive a home visit from volunteer members of our Family Selection Committee.
If you are selected for a Habitat home, you will then begin your 250-300 hours of sweat equity and take your ten homeownership classes. Class topics include financial management and budgeting, foreclosure prevention, estate planning, legal rights and responsibilities of homeownership, and more. When your home is finished and you have completed all the foregoing requirements, Habitat will help you obtain affordable financing to pay for it over 20-30 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take from the time I apply for a home until I close and move in?
The application/selection process can take 3 to 6 months and after that it may take another 18 to 24 months to build the home before you will be ready to buy your home and move in. The timing also depends on how long it takes you to complete the sweat equity requirement and attend our homeownership and financial management classes. Importantly, our program relies on sponsors, donations, and volunteers to help construct our homes, which can impact the timing.
What is the sweat equity requirement?
When do I perform the sweat equity?
Can friends and other groups help me meet the 250-300 hours of sweat equity?
Are there income guidelines for the homeownership program?
The 2021 Income Guidelines are:
(Published by HUD on April 1, 2021)
| Family Size | Minimum Income (50% AMI) |
Maximum Income (80% AMI) |
| 1 | $47,000 | $70,750 |
| 2 | $53,700 | $80,850 |
| 3 | $60,400 | $90,950 |
| 4 | $67,100 | $101,050 |
| 5 | $72,500 | $109,150 |
| 6 | $77,850 | $117,250 |
| 7 | $83,250 | $125,350 |
| 8 | $88,600 | $133,400 |
Can I choose where I want my house to be? Can I switch to another Habitat home after I am selected?
Can I rent out or sublet my Habitat house?
Can I run a day care or other business out of my home?
If I lose my job, will I lose my home?
I applied to Habitat in the past and my application was rejected. Can I apply again?
If I’ve already taken a first time homebuyer class, do I still need to take Habitat’s classes?
I still have questions!
240 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-423-2223
