Please review the qualification guidelines to ensure you meet our criteria before submitting this form to Habitat for Humanity.
*Please note that this interest form is not an application for a Habitat home, but provides us with your contact information so that we can provide you with more information.
Home Build Program Qualifications
Buying a home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity is a unique opportunity for all of our partners. Yakima Valley Habitat for Humanity partners with qualified households who help build and purchase their homes with an affordable mortgage.
Review the financial and general qualifications below to understand the criteria for being selected for our program.
Need for Adequate Housing
Individuals and families are considered for our Homeownership Program if their current housing is inadequate and they are not able to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. The total household income (including any adult living in the home 18 years of age and over that have an income) will also be verified to determine the need.
Lack of adequate housing may include:
- Problems with the home or apartment’s structure, water, electrical, sewage system, heating/cooling, hazardous substances, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards
- home or apartment may be:
- Overcrowded
- Unaffordable (pays more than 30% of gross monthly income on housing)
Ability to Pay a Mortgage
Applicants and co-applicants must demonstrate that they have stable and sufficient income to pay a minimum mortgage on the home they would like to purchase.
Applicants & co-applicants must demonstrate the following:
- Earn an annual income that falls within 30% to 80% of the area median income as determined annually by HUD
- Meet a total household debt-to-income-ratio that does not exceed 41% of total household monthly gross income
- Provide proof of stable income for the last two (2) years (e.g. tax returns, w2, 1099, paystubs, bank statements, etc)
- Have an acceptable credit history
- Have no accounts in collections, charge-offs, or unsatisfied public records on credit history
- Save and contribute $5,000 toward your escrow (1st year of homeowner’s insurance, taxes for your home, and additional closing costs)
Willingness to Partner with Habitat
Applicants, co-applicants, and their families must be willing to join in an ongoing partnership with us while in the Home Build Program and after purchasing their home.
Applicants and co-applicants will be expected to volunteer for a minimum of 500 Sweat Equity hours.
They must work in partnership with the organization by:
- Assisting in the construction of the homes currently being built
- Volunteering at our Habitat Store
- Attending all mandatory educational workshops and meetings to learn homeownership skills, home maintenance, financial management, etc.
2024 Area Median Income (AMI) Chart
| HH SIZE | 30% | 80% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18,900 | $50,400 |
| 2 | $21,600 | $57,600 |
| 3 | $24,300 | $64,800 |
| 4 | $27,000 | $72,000 |
| 5 | $29,200 | $77,867 |
| 6 | $31,350 | $83,600 |
| 7 | $33,500 | $89,333 |
| 8 | $35,650 | $95,067 |
Additional Requirements
- Applicants and co-applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- Applicants and co-applicants must be a first time home buyer (not owned a home in the last 3 years, except a mobile home)
- Applicants and co-applicants can not have had a foreclosure within 7 years of the application date
- All adults in the household (age 18 and over) must be able to pass a criminal background check
- Applicants and co-applicants cannot have had a bankruptcy discharge within 7 years of the
- Must currently live in the Yakima County
- Acceptable credit – 640+ credit score and satisfactory credit history
STEP 2, APPLY TODAY!
Click below for the Home Build Program application
Or email apply@yakimahabitat.org to learn more about our Home Build Program.
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity is pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity, throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to becoming a homeowner due to race, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.