Homeownership

Each of our Habitat homeowners go through a rigorous application process. Each qualified applicant must complete at least 250 hours of sweat-equity, which includes completing financial literacy courses and a home maintenance class. Approved homebuyers will receive a mortgage that is made affordable specifically to them; making a reasonable effort to ensure their mortgage payment does not exceed 30% of their gross monthly income. 

Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna relies on financial and in-kind support to continue our mission of helping low-income applicants become homeowners. Currently only 4% of our building materials are donated, the remaining 96% are purchased through financial donations.  Your financial support to Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna keeps your charity dollars local. Local giving is a win-win for us all, improving our neighborhoods and home values through homeownership. Please view our most recent brochure: Homeownership Program Brochure 2025

Eligibility Criteria for the Homeownership Program

1.  HOUSING NEED

• • Qualified applicants must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing.  Need is determined by home visits.

• • Examples of need include structural problems, inadequate living space, safety, and stability.

2.  ABILITY TO PAY

• • Current employment, bank accounts, credit reports and landlord references will be checked to verify the applicant(s) ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. Each mortgage payment is then used to build future Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna homes.

• • To qualify financially, the minimum income of an applicant must be $35,000 annually to afford a Habitat mortgage and not exceed the highest income listed below:

3.  WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER

Timeliness, honesty, and eagerness are all necessary to partner with Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna. Sweat Equity is crucial to our concept of “willingness to partner” and is the actual hands-on physical involvement of approved home buyers. This active participation allows families to turn their homeownership dreams into reality. These hours are not monetary contributions toward their home but, required volunteer hours.

Required Sweat Equity hours:

       –   Single-Applicant 250 total sweat equity hours required
       –   Two-Applicants 500 total sweat equity hours required

Examples of Sweat Equity: Construction of Habitat homes, classes in homeowner education and budgeting, office assistance, preparing or serving food to volunteers, school grades of applicants’ children, self-development, community development, etc.

4.  RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Applicant(s) must live in Cecil or Harford County for at least one year prior to their application and be a permanent legal resident of the United States OR a United States citizen.