HOME BUYER PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS

Program Requirements

Working with Habitat for Humanity to buy a home is a unique opportunity. Anytime a Habitat home becomes available, Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys utilizes a Family Selection Team to facilitate the selection process for a Partner Family. The team believes and insists on nondiscriminatory family selection criteria for all potential homeowners. Race, color, ethnic origin, religion, sex and family composition are not factors considered in the selection process.

If you are interested in working with us as a homebuyer, we recommend reviewing the Family Partner Selection Criteria to learn more about our homebuyer program and whether it's right for you.

Habitat Homeownership Overview

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, Inc. does not build houses for families or give homes away; we facilitate a partnership with families who demonstrate a need for adequate affordable housing, the ability to pay a mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity.

This partnership also engages community supporters who join the families in the home building process and provide both financial and in-kind support for building supplies and materials. Homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, or “sweat equity,” into building their Habitat house and they pay back a no-profit, no-interest mortgage.

Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys, Inc. is committed to the development of decent, affordable homes. We also are committed to working with partner families to insure that the experience of homeownership is positive and successful.

Families are trained and supported in a variety of skills, including: basic construction skills to assist in the building of their house; home maintenance skills; various home improvement skills; neighborhood involvement and cooperation skills; budgeting and consumer awareness skills; and others as necessary.

Family Partner Selection Criteria

Partner families are selected according to the following criteria:

A. You have a need for adequate housing.

  • Current housing is inadequate or too expensive

  • Unable to obtain a conventional mortgage for a home in our area

B. You have the ability to pay the Habitat mortgage.

  • Steady income

  • No unpaid liens or judgments

C. You are willing to partner with Habitat and fulfill all partnership requirements.

  • Complete sweat equity

  • Participate in homeowner education classes

  • Contribute closing costs

  • Live where Habitat is working