Program
Eligibility
Completion of the Get Ready Program is required to apply for homeownership.
Applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, meet background check requirements, and be residents and/or employees of Rutherford County for at least 12 months prior to applying.
Adequate housing could mean living in a dwelling that lacks proper plumbing or wiring, has structural problems, or is in a state of disrepair. Living conditions could be overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe. Other examples of need include paying rent higher than 30% of income or needing accessibility for a household member with a disability.
Higher priority may be given to applicants with stronger needs at the discretion of the homeowner services department. Applicants should not have owned a home in the last 3 years nor have had a foreclosure in the last 4 years prior to applying.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to afford the estimated monthly mortgage and household expenses.
Habitat requires a consistent, stable income in the United States for 2 years at a minimum annual household income of $40,000 (subject to change with each application season).
This can include employment, social security, pension, disability income, worker’s compensation, alimony, and reliable child support. We consider the income of all adults (18 or older) in the household. Applicants must verify their employment history and provide documentation of the past 2 years of annual household income.
In addition to a minimum of 620 credit score, established credit is required and must be proven, including 3-4 accounts with a at least a 12 month good payment history. We accept accounts reported to the credit bureau OR non-traditional credit sources, such as rent, utilities, loans, and other expenses.
Debts, such as collections and charge-offs, must not exceed $2000 at the time of application. If approved, applicants must agree to resolve those debts 90 days before closing.
Bankruptcies must have re-established credit history, including a minimum of 3 accounts with 12 months or more on time payments.
Applicants must be able to save up to 1% of the home purchase price plus $1,000, depending on specific lender or grant funding requirements. This value is subject to change based on application season.
For example, a home with a value of $275,000 will require closing costs of $2,750 to be saved and provided by the homeowner.
Once selected for the program, participants are required to participate in sweat equity hours by completing homeowner education classes, budget coaching, volunteering at the ReStore, and building on their own home and others in the program. Families with a single applicant are required to earn 200 hours, and families with both a single and co-applicant are required to earn 280 hours. Accommodations can be made for applicants with disabilities.
Income Limits
“Income guidelines are subject to change at any time.”
Application ReviewProcess
All applicants must have completed the Get Ready Class to apply for homeownership.
Applicants will have 10 days to complete and submit a full application with required additional information.
Habitat has up to 30 days to review and determine your eligibility. If the family is not eligible after processing the application, a denial letter will be sent. Upon approval of your application, Habitat will schedule a pre-selection interview and home visit.
Your application file will then be presented to the Homeowner Selection Committee and Board of Directors for a final vote. After the vote, selected families will be notified of their official acceptance into the program and advance to Phase 4 !