Will County Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabs affordable homes for low-income individuals and families who demonstrate a housing need. Habitat for Humanity believes homeownership is the most basic way to break successive generations of poverty.
Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity program. Applicants are selected based on their need for housing, willingness to partner with us, and their ability to pay the mortgage. Individuals from all races, sexes, and creeds are encouraged to apply.
If you are a current Habitat homeowner, please visit our homeowner resource page.
Program Requirements
You may be eligible for a Habitat home if you meet the 3 guidelines: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.
Need
Is your present housing one of the following:
- Inadequate – Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure such as: water; electrical or sewage service systems; heating system; hazardous; poorly maintained (substandard); or failure to meet city property maintenance standards.
- Overcrowded – Also taken into consideration are the make-up and size of your family compared to the number of bedrooms in your home.
- Transitional – You are currently living with family members or a friend and you do not have your own place to live.
- Government Subsidized – Housing programs such as: Section 8, Low Rent Program.
- Unaffordable – A percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need (“more than 40% of my monthly income goes towards rent”).
Ability to Pay
You and your family will be considered if your total income is between the income range (annual gross income is your income before taxes). This income is based on family size and is represented in the chart below:
| Family Size | Minimum Gross Annual Income | Maximum Gross Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| One | $19,150 | $44,590 |
| Two | $21,850 | $50,960 |
| Three | $24,600 | $57,330 |
| Four | $27,300 | $63,700 |
| Five | $30,680 | $68,810 |
| Six | $35,160 | $73,920 |
| Seven | $39,640 | $79,030 |
| Eight | $44,120 | $84,140 |
*Note: Figures are subject to change and are based on the FY21 HUD Income Guidelines, which can be found here.
The projected housing payment cannot exceed 30% of your gross income. You will need to qualify for the mortgage loan as well as meet our income criteria. In addition, you must:
- Not have any unpaid non-medical charge-offs on your credit report.
- Owe less than 43% of your gross annual income in total debt.
- Pay your rent on time.
- Had stable income for the last year.
- Have not declared bankruptcy in the last 24 months.
Willingness to Partner
- You must be willing to partner with Will County Habitat for Humanity and complete "sweat equity" hours.
- A family of (2) adults or more must complete a total of 500 hours.
- 16 to 18 year olds must complete 100 hours
- A family with (1) Adult and children under the age of 16 must complete 250 hours.
- You must attend the required homeowner classes as scheduled.
- You will encourage other families to participate in the Habitat program.
- You will be responsible for maintenance of your house from the time you move into your home.
- You will be responsible for repaying the purchase cost of your home in a timely manner so that other families can benefit from the Habitat program
Additional Applicant Requirements
- Applicant(s) must have entered the US legally and provide applicable documentation
- Applicant must clear a criminal background check
- It is important to determine who the homebuyers will be when there are multiple adults who are planning to live in the home permanently
- All adult (over 18) household members must sign a general release for a background check and other verification
- Habitat is unable to serve applicants if any household member is a registered sex offender
- Any conviction(s) which are recent and/ or severe in nature will be evaluated on a case by case basis
How to Apply
If you believe you would be a good candidate for our program, you can learn how to apply here.
Habitat is an Equal Housing Lender Opportunity provider. 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.
