The Future is Homemade.

Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of Washington County is committed to creating more safe and affordable housing opportunities to local residents.

To Qualify:

As active participants in building a better future for themselves and their families, qualified program partners demonstrate willingness, need, and ability.

• Willingness

  • Families must be willing to partner with Habitat. Once selected, families will provide "sweat equity," or volunteer work, during the time their home is being worked on. At a minimum, they must provide 200 hours of service on build sites, in the ReStore, or other approved volunteer activities.  

• Need

  • Families must also demonstrate a financial need to qualify. This is calculated as a percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI). To determine if you are income-qualified, compare your regularly occurring gross annual income to the chart below. Your income should include most funds you are receiving, including social security, disability, and/or child support. SNAP (food stamps) and TANF are not counted as income.

• Ability to partner

  • Habitat works on a hand-up not a hand-out model. Potential home buyers must have a steady income in order to pay an affordable mortgage. This is determined by the Area Median Income (AMI). AMI is based on the gross household income (i.e. the income of everyone who will in live in the home before taxes) and family size. For example, a single head of household with 2 children is a family of 3. On the other hand, 2 adults with one child is also a family of 3.

• In addition the following are required:

  • US Citizenship or Permanent Legal Resident

  • Must be a Washington County, MD resident for at least one year

  • Yearly income must fall within the limits below:

Guidelines:    

• One person in household : Income before taxes is above $19,200 and less than $38,400

• Two people in household : Income before taxes is above $21,950 and less than $43,920

• Three people in household : Income before taxes is above $24,700 and less than $49,380

• Four people in household : Income before taxes is above $27,400 and less than $54,840

• Five people in household : Income before taxes is above $29,600 and less than $59,280

• Six people in household : Income before taxes is above $31,800 and less than $63,660

• Seven people in household : Income before taxes is above $34,000 and less than $68,040

• Eight people in household : Income before taxes is above $36,200 and less than $73,420