OUR PROGRAMS
Habitat Homeownership Program
Our deadline for homeownership application submission was January 31, 2024. Join us May 30th at our annual Ask Breakfast to learn about our current builds and how Habitat is expanding in your area.
About the Program
We partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over. By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.
Habitat's path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
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How to Qualify for a Habitat Home
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing. Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing "sweat equity," meaning helping build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Sweat equity can also include performing non-manual work at the home site or volunteering in a Habitat ReStore. Lastly, homeowners must be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
Can anyone apply to be a Habitat homeowner?
Yes. Habitat follows the Fair Housing Act nondiscriminatory policy in housing assistance and housing-related activities that prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or national origin or because all or part of the applicant income is derived from public assistance programs.
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What are the minimum requirements to apply for a Habitat house?
Click the minimum requirements to learn if you meet the preliminary program criteria.
Home Repair and Preservation Program
Complete our Home Repair and Preservation Program Interest form to determine if you meet the preliminary program criteria and someone will contact you via email or phone.
We offer home repair and preservation services to homeowners so Oregonians can continue to live in safe, decent homes for years to come. Qualifying homes are within Linn county in these ZIP codes: 97355, 97327, 97386, 97345, and 97329. Some of our home repair work includes minor and critical repairs, from painting, landscaping, weatherization to electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and air. In this way, we can help revitalize neighborhoods, improve housing stability and retention for Oregonians living on low incomes, increase opportunities for homeowners to remain in their existing homes, and preserve affordable housing inventory.
Please note: For manufactured and mobile home projects, only the following is eligible: Exterior door(s), Gutters, Landscaping, Brush removal, Junk removal, Exterior painting, Walkway(s), Driveway(s), Steps, Ramp(s), Porch(es), Deck(s), and Retaining wall(s).
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How does the Home Repair and Preservation Program work?
All repairs are zero percent interest and we have some small grants available to cover some of the costs. We do all the work of finding the lowest cost and high quality repairs for you and repayments are placed back into a revolving fund to help this program serve others in need with small grants and low repair costs. Once homeowners meet the basic eligibility program criteria, you will receive confirmation and then schedule a home visit appointment where staff will complete a home inspection, determine the scope of work, and prepare a project cost estimate. Next, the Partner Family Selection Committee reviews the full file and approves or denies the project based on meeting the project criteria.
If selected, the homeowner signs a written Homeowner's Agreement between the homeowner and Habitat, clarifying the project cost, guidelines, and expectations. We use volunteer labor and donated materials and additional costs for specialty work (plumber, electrician, etc.) are in the form of a zero-interest loan made to the homeowner.