With Habitat, you can own a home and build a brighter future. 

Every day, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio partners with hardworking families and individuals who could use a hand up, not a hand out through decent, affordable housing. Since 1988, we’ve partnered with over 600 families throughout Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, helping people discover the power of affordable housing while building the strength, stability, and self-reliance we all deserve.

A home is an investment that lasts for generations, but Habitat for Humanity homes are not free gifts. Every family who partners with Habitat is making a personal and financial investment in their future, and the future is bright.

Own a Home - Habitat House

How do you qualify to own a home with Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity partners with low to moderate income families and individuals who need decent, affordable housing. There are three areas of qualification, but Habitat homes are not free gifts. In the end, Habitat homes are purchased with an affordable 0% interest mortgage.

You must have a need for housing.

A family must be currently living in sub-standard housing. Habitat works each day to eliminate poverty housing in the local community.

You must have a steady income.

Habitat homes are not free gifts—they are sold with a 0% interest mortgage. That’s why each family must demonstrate a steady income.*

You must be willing to partner with us.

A family must have the willingness to partner with Habitat by investing Sweat Equity in their home and the homes of other partner families.

General Program Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
  • No open or unpaid court cases: all fees, fines, time served, community service, etc. fully satisfied.
  • Cannot be a registered sex offender.
  • Willing to purchase a home within our service area: the Ohio Counties of Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson.

Financial Requirements

  • Have and maintain an annual gross income within our guidelines.
  • At least two years since being discharged from bankruptcy or having property foreclosed on.
  • No open or unpaid civil judgements or lien debts.
  • Able to save money monthly.

How much money do I need to earn to qualify for Habitat?

Your annual pre-tax income must fall within the income guidelines for your household size and county of residence. These income guidelines are updated annually but we may update them at any time.

What money sources can I count as income?

Family Size Min. Annual Gross Income Max. Annual Gross Income
1 $17,100 $45,600
2 $19,720 $52,100
3 $24,860 $58,600
4 $30,000 $65,100
5 $35,140 $70,350
6 $40,280 $75,550
Family Size Min. Annual Gross Income Max. Annual Gross Income
1 $17,100 $45,600
2 $19,720 $52,100
3 $24,860 $58,600
4 $30,000 $65,100
5 $35,140 $70,350
6 $40,280 $75,550
Family Size Min. Annual Gross Income Max. Annual Gross Income
1 $16,700 $44,400
2 $19,720 $50,750
3 $24,860 $57,100
4 $30,000 $63,400
5 $35,140 $68,500
6 $40,280 $73,550
Family Size Min. Annual Gross Income Max. Annual Gross Income
1 $16,450 $43,900
2 $19,720 $50,200
3 $24,860 $56,450
4 $30,000 $62,700
5 $35,140 $67,750
6 $40,280 $72,750
Family Size Min. Annual Gross Income Max. Annual Gross Income
1 $16,450 $43,900
2 $19,720 $50,200
3 $24,860 $56,450
4 $30,000 $62,700
5 $35,140 $67,750
6 $40,280 $72,750
What money sources can I count as income?

Take a journey toward homeownership.

The path to homeownership is not easy at Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, but it's well worth the investment. When families partner with us to build and purchase their homes, they commit to a process that takes time, but ultimately reshapes their entire lives. Here's what that process looks like.

i

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements and Apply

2. Accepted to Homeownership Program

3. Complete Sweat Equity Requirements

4. Build Your Family's Future Home

5. Purchase Your Home with 0% Interest

6. Pay Off Your Home Over Time

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of 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 obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Own a Home - Habitat Keys

At Habitat, owning a home offers a strong foundation for building a better future.

We partner with hard-working, low to moderate income families, helping them build and purchase their own homes. After each home has been built or renovated, it is sold with an affordable 0% interest mortgage and an affordable monthly payment. As Habitat homeowners make their mortgage payments, they are helping future Habitat partner families build their homes—and the cycle continues. This is the beauty of how Habitat works.

At Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, we believe everyone deserves a decent place to call home. An affordable home quickly becomes a launching point for families as they have more resources to put toward better food, further education, and healthcare.

A home offers stability.

Substandard housing is a constant strain, mentally and physically. A safe, healthy home will offer comfort and protection, allowing families to focus on the future.

Habitat homes are affordable.

Paying too much for housing traps families in a tough cycle. We work with Habitat families to ensure they can afford their 0% interest mortgage payments.

A home is a legacy.

A home is an investment that can offer benefits for generations—a Habitat home is just the same. Habitat families are building an asset and a legacy.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out.

Habitat for Humanity homes are not given away. When a family or individual partners with Habitat, they invest sweat equity by building or renovating their home and the homes of others. Each family also participates in educational courses covering home maintenance, personal development, financial literacy, and much more. In short, the path to homeownership isn’t easy, but owning your own decent, affordable home is very much worth the investment.

When families partner with Habitat to own a home, they are equipped to become successful homeowners. Through sweat equity, they’ll make an investment in themselves and their futures, developing the strength and self-reliance they’ll need to thrive. Sweat equity is a key part of the Habitat for Humanity program.

Own a Home - Sweat Equity

Families build on worksites.

Every family who partners with Habitat will help build their home and the homes of other families in the program.

Families learn skills they need.

Families complete education courses that cover financial literacy, hands-on home maintenance training, and much more.

Families make an investment.

Habitat families help the ministry grow by lending a hand at Habitat ReStore, in the warehouse, or in the ministry offices.

Have a question about homeownership? Let us help.

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Volunteer

Whatever your skill set, stage of life, or passion, there is a place for you.

Donate

Build the foundation of a family's future with a gift of any size.

Own a Home

Every one of us deserves a decent and affordable place to call home.

ReStore

Donate and shop for home goods at the store that builds homes.