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903-236-0900
Homeownership Program
Thank you for your interest in Homeownership through Habitat for Humanity!
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity builds new construction homes in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur County and sells them to individuals at a low interest mortgage. Habitat for Humanity offers a Homeownership Program to qualified low-to moderate income individuals and families who cannot qualify for a conventional loan. Habitat homes are build simple, decent, and affordable. These Habitat homes are made affordable using volunteer labor to build homes in addition to the low interest mortgage provided by Habitat. It is important to know that the Habitat Homeownership Program does not give homes away, and Habitat homes are not free. Habitat homeowners make monthly payments set approximately 28-30% of the buyer/owner’s gross income. When a Habitat homeowner makes their monthly payment, it includes the mortgage, property taxes and the homeowner’s insurance. Â
Program Qualifications
1
Residency
Applicant(s) must have resided in Gregg, Harrison, or Upshur for at least one year prior to applying.
2
Need for Housing
To qualify for a Habitat home. Some examples of need are outlined below. This list is not all-inclusive.
Current housing is considered inadequate for at least one of the following:
- Problems with the heating system, water supply, electricity, bathroom, kitchen, structure, etc.
- Too small or over crowded, based on family size (number, ages, and gender of household members).
- Current housing is unsafe or unsuitable for children or other family members.
- Cost of current housing (including utilities) exceeds 40% of household income.
- The applicant is unable to obtain stable adequate housing through conventional means. Dependence on rent subsidies (such as section 8 vouchers) may be considered as need.
3
Ability to Pay
In our Homeownership Program families will be buying a Habitat home. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to pay for the home.
- Debt to income ratio – The household debt payment should not prohibit them from meeting normal cost of living expenses. Debt to income ratio 45% or less.
- Applicant(s) must have a source of stable income. This may include wages from an employment, SSI, Social Security, child support, public assistance, or alimony.
- Wages from employment (applicants must be employed consecutively for a minimum of two (2) years prior to applying)
- Applicant must show an ability to make regular monthly payments for rent, utilities and other credit obligations.
- Temporary jobs are generally not considered permanent.
- If self-employed, a year-to-date profit and loss statement is required.
- Applicant(s) must not have filed bankruptcy within the past three (3) years.Â
- It is recommended that the applicant(s) obtain a free copy of their credit report to ensure all credit has been reported accurately – you can go to www.annualcreditreport.com.
- Total household income falls within the minimum and maximum income limits in the following chart:
Gregg and Upshur Income Guidelines 2022
| Family Size | Not Less than (per month) | Not More Than (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 2,021 | $ 2,829 |
| 2 | $ 2,308 | $ 3,232 |
| 3 | $ 2,596 | $ 3,634 |
| 4 | $ 2,883 | $ 4,037 |
| 5 | $ 3,117 | $ 4,363 |
| 6 | $ 3, 346 | $ 4,684 |
| 7 | $ 3,579 | $ 5,011 |
| 8 | $ 3,808 | $ 5,332 |
Harrison Income Guidelines 2022
| Family Size | Not Less than (per month) | Not More Than (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 2,021 | $ 3,033 |
| 2 | $ 2,308 | $ 3,465 |
| 3 | $ 2,596 | $ 3,897 |
| 4 | $ 2,883 | $ 4,328 |
| 5 | $ 3,117 | $ 4,678 |
| 6 | $ 3, 346 | $ 5,023 |
| 7 | $ 3,579 | $ 5,373 |
| 8 | $ 3,808 | $ 5,717 |
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Note
These incomes guidelines apply to the total household. All income for applicant and co-applicant (if any) and anyone over 18yrs old will be considered in determining household income. Income guidelines & house price/costs are subject to change without notice.
4
Willingness to Partner
Willingness to partner means working hard to earn a Habitat home, but what does that look like for the future Habitat homebuyer?Â
- Applicants must be willing to work in partnership with Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity with positive and active involvement in the Homeownership Program.Â
- Homeownership Program participants complete sweat equity. Labor that you and your family must provide before and during the construction of your home. Applicant(s) must be willing to complete 250 sweat equity hours by attending classes, workshops, other non-profit organizations, working at the Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity ReStore, participating in Habitat or ReStore events, and building their home or other Habitat homes.Â
- Represent Habitat well in the community and be a good neighbor.
5
Background Checks
NETHFH conducts background checks for all potential partner families. Any person refusing a background check will not be permitted to become a partner family.
Disqualifying factors:
- Applicant has an open warrant.
- Applicant has been convicted of a felony with the last five years prior to application date.
- Applicant has a pending criminal case.
- Applicant is currently on parole or probation
Sex Offender Database
Presence on a sex offender database is cause for de-selection.
6
Additional Applicant Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Texas is a marital property state and Habitat requires married couples to apply jointly.Â
- Divorce proceedings must be finalized.
- All adult household members over the age of 18 must sign a general release for a background check and other verification.
Application Process
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity opens its application period once a year.Â
Individuals interested in the Homeownership Program will need to attend an application information meeting. To contact our Family Services department with questions or alternative meeting options, please email familyservices@netxhabitat.org.Â
1
After attending the application meeting, you will receive an application form with instructions.Â
2
Gather the documents needed to process the application. The list of all documentation needed is included with the application instructions packet.
3
Once the application is complete, supporting documentation are copied, applicants will schedule an in-person application review meeting.
4
Once all documents and information have been submitted the application process begins. There are three (3) review phases, Family Services team will start the application review following the Habitat guidelines.
Why Apply for a Habitat Home?
Affordability
Habitat homes in Gregg, Harrison, and Upshur County, Texas are affordable for people and families and do not exceed 30% of gross monthly income. Monthly house payments included taxes and insurance.
Coaching & Education
Habitat Partner Families learn about budgeting for their future home and how to prepare financially for homeownership. Other group classes will help Habitat homebuyers learn various aspects of home maintenance and preparation for homeownership. We want our Habitat Partner Families to be successful homeowners!
Tools & Resources
Through partnership, the Habitat home buyer works closely with our staff as well as community volunteers. Habitat home buyers receive invaluable experience while working on sweat equity hours at our build site, the Restore and other non-profits. Participating in the build of a Habitat home will equip our Habitat Partner Families with skills to help them maintain and repair their home in the future. Even after the Habitat home is complete, our Habitat staff remain available to provide homeowners with resources and assistance after the family purchases their home, and we remain the primary contact for any questions or concerns related to the home loan.Â
A Trusted Partner
Northeast Texas Habitat for Humanity has been building homes since 1985. As of 2022, we have built 100 homes and counting! That means 110 families in our community.
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Use the form below to give us your information. We will be back in touch with you regarding your interest in Habitat homeownership.Â
