Habitat for Humanity partners with families who are ready for the responsibility and challenges of homeownership, but would not qualify for a traditional mortgage. The selection of families is based on three principles: the need for safe, decent, affordable shelter, the ability to pay a zero-interest mortgage, and the willingness to give back to the community through volunteering.

In order to qualify for a Habitat Niagara home, families must meet the following three criteria:

Need

• Families must be living in either substandard or overcrowded housing conditions or have high rent relative to their income.
• You have children that will benefit from a simple, decent, affordable home.

Ability to Pay

• Families must be able to afford to pay a mortgage and not have an overwhelming amount of debt.
• At least one adult must be employed for a minimum one year.
• Families must be a legal residents of Canada.
• Families must have a good credit rating. A bankruptcy must have been discharged for at least 2 years.
• Annual family income must fall within the low income cut-off range below. The entire family’s employment income, child benefits and long-term disability (ODSP) are considered. Note that Ontario Works, GST HST credit, and Employment Insurance are not eligible income. 

Willingness to Partner

• Families must be willing to volunteer 500 hours of Sweat Equity towards the construction of their home, or other Habitat programs such as the ReStore, or in their community for other not-for-profit organizations, schools or faith groups.
• Families must also attend a series of workshops on home ownership and be willing to participate in Habitat's Family Partnership program which offers support and guidance in all aspects of home ownership.
• Families must be willing to accept all the responsibilities of home ownership including paying property insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance, and other common homeowner expenses.
• Families must be willing to work towards building solid relationships with volunteers, donors, community members and neighbours as a Habitat homeowner.

For more information, contact us: familyservices@habitatniagara.ca or 905 685 7395 ext. 403.