Home Buyer Program

In general, any person or family who meets the 3 basic Habitat criteria can qualify for a house. Often these are people who are unable to meet banks’ income and credit history requirements.

A Need for Shelter: Your current housing conditions are substandard. This could be due to structural, plumbing, heating, overcrowding, or infestation problems.

A Willingness to Partner: 250 sweat equity hours are required of each adult family member, and a $1,000 down payment will be accumulated over the course of the homeownership program. This may include Habitat office work, helping with Habitat functions, working at our Restores, and/or on-site building.

Ability to Pay: Legal verifiable income that falls within our income range. Employment, credit, and manageable debt histories are all reviewed and weighed.

The program is currently paused for the season.

In Person: This is the fastest and most efficient way to submit your application and be notified if you need more documentation.

Via Mail: Mail your completed application and all required documents to our main offices located at: 22005 VanDyke Ave. Warren, MI 48089. Please note: If you are missing documentation, it may take longer for you to be notified.

Email or Electronic Submission: In the interest of privacy, we do NOT accept electronic submissions at this time.

Once we receive your initial application materials, the wait may be up to five months.

Applicants determined “ineligible” are usually notified within a month. The building process is subject to weather and the availability of volunteers, labor, and materials.

No, you are not required to be working to qualify. However, you must meet the income requirements outlined in the Family Selection Criteria.

Macomb Habitat requires applicants to wait a minimum of two years after a bankruptcy before applying for a Habitat home. This two year wait gives Habitat a window to see how successfully you’ve managed your finances since the bankruptcy.

Yes, our homeownership program is geared towards first-time prospective home buyers

No, food stamps are not considered income.

Wait to hear from the Family Selection Committee–typically this will occur within 4-6 weeks of successful application submission.

One of three scenarios will occur:
1. You will receive a letter requesting additional information.
2. You will receive a denial letter.
3. You may receive a call asking to schedule a home visit.

No, you cannot choose your location, but you do have the option of turning down a location. The next available family will then be offered that location and your name will be put back on the waiting list.

Yes, you may still apply for a Habitat home as long as you meet the income requirements.