Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity is best known for its home build construction. Habitat does not give away houses, instead, we offer local residents the opportunity to purchase a home at an affordable price. In this program, staff and volunteers work alongside qualified home buyers as they build their own home. When construction is complete, the new homeowner purchases their home through a commitment fee and a low-interest rate loan, making it affordable for their budget.

Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County builds homes throughout the county.

Residency

Applicant must currently have lived and/or worked in Carroll County for at least one year.

Housing need

Applicant must be living in housing that is overcrowded, in disrepair, unsafe, subsidized or too expensive.

Qualifying Income

For the upcoming build in Taneytown, we are partnering with the USDA Rural Loan Program. The USDA Program has different income guidelines than our in-house loans (see below) and also requires a credit score of 640 or above.

Applicants must meet income guidelines. Income can include wages and salary along with other verifiable sources of funds, such as child support or alimony. USDA Rural Loan Income and Credit Worthiness Requirements:
Income based on family size:
1-4 $39,000 minimum, $79,900 maximum
5 + $39,000 minimum, $105,450 maximum
Credit Score 640+

Sweat Equity

Perform “sweat equity”.  We require 250 hours of “sweat equity” for one applicant and 100 hours of each additional applicant before the purchase of the home.  Family size determines the total number of required hours. However, no construction experience or physical ability is required. Habitat for Humanity works with all partner families to train them in new skills within their abilities so that our homeowners can be successful in completing their sweat equity.

Screenings

Applicant and any person over 18 years of age who will live in the Habitat home will be screened through the National Sex Offender Registry and will need to complete a criminal background check.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.

To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over.

By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.

Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.

Habitat Homebuyers Commit to:

  • Dedicating at least 250-350 hours of “sweat equity” depending on family size
  • Helping to build their future home alongside volunteers
  • Attending home owner and financial education classes
  • Paying an affordable mortgage for the cost of the home
  • Assuming responsibility for maintaining the home and paying home owners insurance and property taxes

What is Sweat Equity?

Every Habitat home buyer must earn at least 250-350 hours of sweat equity depending on family size before going to settlement by volunteering on the construction sites helping to build their future home and other Habitat homes or through helping out at our ReStore or other approved community service activities.  Extended family members who will not live in the house, friends and neighbors may help partners to accrue sweat equity. Sweat equity contributes to three fundamental Habitat goals: spirit of partnership, pride in ownership and development of skills and knowledge.

Can Anyone Apply to Be a Habitat Homeowner?

Yes, anyone meets the qualification requirements may apply.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, disability, religion, national origin, family/marital status, or because all or part of income is derived from any public assistance program. 

Email info@cchabitat.org to be placed on the waiting list for our next build. 

 We build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter.

Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout our service areas. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing based upon race, sex, familial status, physical or mental disability, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, presence of children, source of income, sexual orientation, gender, identity, age and family responsibilities.

Donate Your Stuff

Help Families Build Homes

FREE Donation Pickup Is Available Now

Donating your household and building items is easy and FREE, and it helps us build homes for families in Carroll County. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.