Criteria

In order to qualify for a Habitat-NYC home, you must be a first-time home buyer and meet the following and other criteria:

Need
Priority is given to families living in either substandard, overcrowded housing conditions or have a severe rent burden (pay more than 50 percent of household income for rent). Final applicants will receive a home visit to verify need.

Willing to Partner
Families must be willing to help build their home and the homes of their neighbors by providing 300 hours of “sweat equity” per household member over the age of 16. A maximum of 600 hours will be required per household with more than one eligible adult.

Income Requirements
Families must earn between 50 and 80 percent of the 2008 HUD Income Limits for New York City 2008. Additional requirements include, but are not limited to:

Must have no accounts in collection
Must have no Charge Offs
Must have no Public Records
Must have 1% of offering price for up front cash down payment
Must have at least $2,500 in savings to use for closing costs
Must have no bankruptcies within the last 2 years
FICO score of 620 or higher (Credit Score)

Income Requirements*
Individual project income limits are subject to variations. See link to individual projects for specific income range requirements per that project.