Application Process

Applying for a Habitat home is a detailed process. Homes are awarded on the basis of need, ability to pay a monthly interest-free mortgage and willingness to partner with Habitat. Your qualifications and housing need will be evaluated by Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County’s Family Selection Committee.

The following are the necessary steps to become a Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County homeowner:

Step 1
Review the qualifications <Link to Qualifications> and determine if you meet all of them.

Step 2
If you meet all of the qualifications, then submit a “pre-application” <Link to Pre-application> to Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County.

Step 3
Attend the Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County Homeownership Orientation Session (by invitation only).  To receive an invitation you must complete the pre-application.  After the orientation you will have the opportunity to receive an application packet.

Step 4
Submit your completed application packet with all required documentation related to income, family status, etc. by the indicated date.  Incomplete packets will not be reviewed by Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County’s Family Services Department.  The Family Services Department will review the credit, background, income, and debts for all applications.

If everything is satisfactory the application package the will be forwarded to the Family Selection Committee to be evaluated.  Applicant families with unsatisfactory reviews will be contacted by Family Services and advised of the appropriate steps to take.

Step 5
New homeowner applicants are required to performs 18 hours of “sweat equity” (24 hours for couples) working on job sites. This will allow you to experience the sweat equity requirement and determine if can make this commitment.

Step 6 
If the Selection Committee determines the applicant family is eligible for Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County's Homeownership Program, they will schedule and conduct a visit with the applicant family at their current residence.

Step 7
If the “home visit” with the applicant family is satisfactory the Selection Committee will approve the Applicant family.

Step 8
Once approved, the applicant family is notified and the work to turn the dream into a reality begins.  The applicant family will be assigned a “support partner” to work with them throughout the process of qualifying for their home.

Becoming a Habitat Homeowner
Once a family is approved by the Family Selection Committee, the teamwork begins. The family enters a non-binding agreement with Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County and officially becomes a “partner family”.  Partner families begin accumulating sweat equity, by constructing Habitat for Humanity homes alongside other volunteers. Homeowners receive training in all aspects of construction; which in turn provide them with “on-the-job-training” useful in the maintenance of their own home. It also enables them to see first hand the tremendous support they are receiving from the community.

Partner families are expected to attend monthly Homeowner Workshops to learn about many other aspects of homeownership such as, budgeting, credit, home maintenance, insurance, warranties, etc.  Partner families are encouraged to become active in their communities.