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

Step 1– Getting Started

• Review How to Qualify for Homeownership and determine if you meet all criteria and requirements.
• Get a free copy of your credit report and make sure there are no errors annualcreditreport.com
• Open a savings account and begin consistently saving. Even as little as $10 a month will show an ability to save over time.

Step 2– Pre-Questionnaire

• If you meet all of the program’s criteria and requirements, then submit an online Homeownership Pre-Questionnaire to Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. The Homeowner Services Director will contact you once it is received.

Step 3– Application

When we are ready to accept applications for homeownership, we will contact on a first-come, first-serve basis applicants who completed a pre-questionnaire and were interested in the area we are going to build.

• The Homeowner Services Director will provide the applicant(s) with detailed information about Habitat for Humanity and the Homeownership Program. The applicants will have the opportunity to have their questions answered.
• If the applicants are ready to apply, we will send them an application package along with a checklist of documentation they will need to prepare. Once the applicants gather all requested documentation they will need to make an appointment with the Homeowner Services Director. From that point, the director will help the applicants complete the application and discuss the next steps.

Step 4– File Review

• The Homeowner Selection Committee will review the applications to verify the applicants’ income, employment, and credit history to determine if they have the ability to repay the mortgage.
• If the applicant’s income, employment, and credit history are within the Habitat for Humanity of Martin County Homeownership Program guidelines, the application will be pre-approved.
• If denial is due to credit issues, the applicants will be referred to a HUD approved nonprofit credit counseling agency for free budget and credit counseling. The applicants will be welcomed to reapply once your credit issues are resolved.

Step 5– Home Visit

• If eligibility has been determined, two members of the Homeowner Selection Committee will visit the home of the applicant(s) to validate whether or not the homebuyer has a current housing need.  A background check will also be obtained for all household members over 18 years old.

Step 6– Final Decision

• After the home visit is complete, the application goes before our Board of Directors. Based on the findings of the home visit and the decision by the Board of Directors, applicants will be notified if the applicant is approved, they will then meet with the Homeowner Services Director for a New Habitat Homeowner Orientation.  
• Immediately following the orientation, the future Habitat homeowner may begin completing their required 300 sweat equity hours.

Habitat for Humanity is pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to becoming a homeowner due to race, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.