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Homeownership Program is currently closed!

ELIGIBILITY

To apply, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • You must live in or work in Kitsap County for a minimum of one year
  • Your total household adult income must be within the 30% - 80% median income for your family size. This includes all income from all members of your household.
  • You must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States
  • You must not have filed bankruptcy in the last 3 years, and if you have filed bankruptcy in the last 3 years, your bankruptcy must be discharged for at least 3 years before you apply for Home Build Program and have improved your credit since discharge.
  • Must be able to pay off judgments, tax liens or other lien able debt 30 days prior to closing
  • Must complete a background check

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    INCOME

    On the application, we ask you to disclose all of your household income (see below for complete list).

    We ask for all of your household income including non-cash income like food stamps and housing assistance because it helps us understand your monthly budget.

    However, not all income will count for eligibility purposes. To determine your eligibility, we only include cash income that you can reasonably expect to last at least three years. Income can be from work, public assistance, retirement, child support, social security, or any other source of cash income. Income from employment is not required. For all income, you must submit sufficient documentation to verify that you receive it.

    INCLUSIONS

  • Gross Income from Employment
  • Welfare Assistance (TANF, Food Stamps, Other)
  • Social Security, annuities, insurance policies, retirement funds, pension, disability or death benefits
  • Alimony or Child Support (paying or receiving)
  • Military
  • Net income from Self- Employment
  • Net income from Interest, Dividends

    • EXCLUSIONS

  • Student/Financial Aid income
  • Gift income
  • Employment Gift income
  • Foster Care Payments
  • Income from minor child employment
  • Lump Sum payments (such as inheritance or insurance settlement
  • Medical reimbursement
  • Military Special Combat Pay
  • Income received from participation in HUD
  • Reparations Income from a Foreign Government
  • Refund or Rebate Income
  • Earned Income Credit Payment
  • Crime Victim income

    • QUALIFICATIONS

    Habitat uses three criteria to evaluate applications: need for housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

    NEED FOR HOUSING

    Need for housing comes in many forms listed is some of the basic criteria

  • Issues with your current shelter
  • Heating system, electrical, plumbing, water septic sewer
  • Structural weakness, drafty windows, rodents infestation, mold or other issues
  • Inadequate bedrooms for numbers and genders of children or other household members
  • Other issues that create unsuitable, unsafe or unhealthy housing
  • Paying more than 50% of your income in housing cost
  • Living in transitional housing (family or friends)

    • ABILITY TO PAY

    Applicant must be able to show provable, steady income, with household debt not exceeding 40% and payment history for rent, utilities and other monthly bills. Bank statements and credit report will be used for verification.

    WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER

    Partner with Habitat for Humanity to reach a common goal by attending all trainings, classes, monthly construction meetings and commit to working on the jobsite a minimum of one day a week. Pay the closing cost of $1500, while maintaining and improving financial standing.

    Family partners are asked to share their stories for use in media relations i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and fundraising events, on occasions families are asked to be guest speakers at various events.

    Lastly, every person 18 years or older who is listed on a program application is required to submit to a background check including a Washington State Patrol criminal history check and National Sex Offender Registry Check and attend a First Time Home Buyers Class.