Application Overview
We partner with low-income families in the pursuit of affordable home ownership. Thanks to our generous supporters we can sell homes at no profit for a lower cost. Our partner families earn their homes through sweat equity and paying back an interest-free mortgage. Mortgages with insurance and property tax are currently averaging $600-$700.
Minimum Homeowner Requirements
To be considered for a Habitat home you must meet the following minimum requirements:​
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Make 30-60% of Boone County's median income (exceptions for households with 2 full-time workers)
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A credit score is above 600, no credit score may be acceptable.
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Be a legal US citizen or permanent
resident.
*The U.S. Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the sale of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. The covenant that all local affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International also specifies that HFH homeowner families are selected "according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or ethnic background". *
How Do I Apply?
We accept home applications during application periods which are held periodically based on home availability. Due to this, application periods may not be predictable. A notice will be placed on our website 30 days in advance of any open application period. You may also join our email subscription list and get a notification 30 days in advance of any open application period. You must rejoin the email subscription list after every open application period.
Application season has been held during the month of March for the last couple of years.
When it is an application period you can pick up an application at 1305 Business Loop 70 E, Columbia, MO 65201. Applications must be returned by the posted deadline. Applicants are required to pay a $25 credit check fee or bring documentation of their credit score that is less than 30 days old and from a reputable source.
Subscribe to know when we are taking applications.
What Happens Next?
All applications are reviewed to ensure they meet the minimum guidelines. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, a notice will be mailed to you. Applicants that pass the initial screening are scored and entered into our pool of applicants. When there is a large number of applicants, batches of applications are drawn randomly. If you are drawn you will be asked to submit more paperwork and a home interview will be conducted.
All those that are selected are required to put in 250 or more sweat equity hours building their house and the homes of others in the program. Fifty hours must be completed by the members of the household and you can have family members or friends help you with the remaining hours. Accommodations may be made for people with disabilities. This is so you can learn how your home is put together, how to use construction tools, and how to maintain your home through the years.
Why do we run credit and criminal background checks?
We work hard to make homes affordable for low-income families. The credit check is not about income. A credit check tells us if someone has a history of paying debts when they promise they will. It is currently the best method to predict if someone will default on a loan. A credit score below 600, instances of late payments, unpaid balances, liens, judgments, multiple collection accounts, vehicle repossession, recent bankruptcy, delinquent child support, and delinquent student loans are all examples of items that may prevent you from being considered.
We look at criminal history to see if there are things that could affect someone's ability to repay their mortgage or if there is an instance that could affect Habitat's reputation negatively. Some examples of offenses that may exclude someone from participating are serious assault convictions and/or sexual offense convictions.