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How to Apply

​Applications for City of Yakima, Wapato, and Sunnyside Currently Open!

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Buying a home through Habitat for Humanity is a unique opportunity to build stability and independence through affordable homeownership. Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity works with qualified individuals to help them build and purchase a safe, affordable home. Mortgage payments are set at no more than 30 percent of the household’s gross income.
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Review the qualifications below to learn more about the criteria for our homeownership program.

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Start Your Homeownership Journey

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Step 1 - Review Program Requirements

​Review information below to be sure you understand our program model and requirements. 

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​Step 2 - Complete a Home Build Program Application

Gather and submit the required
documents to get started.

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Step 3 - Schedule an Appointment

Schedule a drop-off appointment to turn in completed application & documents.

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Step 4 - Attend Your Intake Appointment

Our team will review your completed application to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for the Home Build Program.​

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Step 5 - Approval Process

If you meet the initial program qualifications, your application will be reviewed by our Homeowner Selection Committee. You’ll be invited to an interview to talk more about your current housing situation and your goals. If the committee recommends approval, your application will move to our Board of Directors for conditional approval, pending verification of the housing needs outlined in your application. The next step is a home visit, which helps confirm the accuracy of the information provided and assess your current living conditions. 

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Step 6 - Final Approval

Once approved, you’ll sign a Letter of Intent and a Partnership Agreement that confirms your commitment to participate in building your future home.​

Home Build Program Requirements

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​Ability to Pay a Mortgage

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​Applicants must demonstrate that they have stable and sufficient income to pay an affordable mortgage on the home they would like to purchase.
Applicants must demonstrate the following:

• Household annual income must fall 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 score & history
• Have no accounts in collections, charge-offs, or unsatisfied public records on credit history

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2025 Area Median Income (AMI) Chart

HH Size	30%	80%
1	$19,950.00	$53,200
2	$22,800.00	$60,800
3	$25,650.00	$68,400
4	$28,450.00	$75,867
5	$30,750.00	$82,000
6	$33,050.00	$88,133
7	$35,300.00	$94,133
8	$37,600.00	$100,267

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​Need for Adequate Housing

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To qualify for a Habitat home, applicants must demonstrate that their current living situation does not meet their family’s basic needs.

This may include:

• overcrowding
• structural damage or unsafe conditions
• failure to meet building or safety codes
• unaddressed maintenance issues by a landlord
• unhealthy living conditions (e.g., mold, pests, poor ventilation)
• inaccessibility for household members with disabilities
• spending more than 30% of household income on rent

Habitat will verify housing need through your application and a home visit to confirm the information provided. 

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​Willingness to Partner

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Habitat for Humanity is built on partnership. Applicants, co-applicants, and their families must be committed to working alongside us throughout the Home Build Program and beyond.
As a Habitat partner, you agree to:

• Complete a minimum of 500 Sweat Equity hours, which may include:
  • Assisting in the construction of Habitat homes
  • Volunteering at the Habitat Store
  • Supporting administrative or community outreach efforts
• Attend all required workshops and meetings focused on:
  • Homeownership skills
  • Home maintenance
  • Financial management and budgeting
• Represent Habitat positively in the community and engage respectfully with staff, volunteers, and other families.

Additional Requirements
To be eligible for partnership, applicants and co-applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Be first-time homebuyers (not owned a home in the past 3 years, excluding mobile homes)​
• Have a minimum credit score of 640 and a satisfactory credit history
• Currently reside in Yakima County
• All household members age 18 and older must pass a criminal background check

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Download the application today!

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English

Spanish

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​Still have questions?

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• ​​Click here to complete an interest form and have a member of the Homeowner Services Department reach out to you!

• Click here to register for our next Community Orientation to learn more about our homeownership 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.

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