How to Apply

Path Towards Home Ownership/Partnership with LHFH

Do You Qualify For A Habitat House? Habitat offers a hand "up," not a handout. In addition to a minimal down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor - sweat equity - into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

General criteria for partnership include:

need of affordable housing

ability to afford mortgage and home maintenance

willingness to partner

The basic qualifications you must meet are listed below. Recipients of government subsidized housing benefits are welcome to apply.

What are the basic qualifications?

Your annual income must fall within the qualifying ranges listed on the Preliminary Questionnaire. (LHFH has set this range for 30% minimum to 50% maximum of the HUD median income for our region based on family size.)

Must live in or work in Loudoun County twelve (12) months prior to applying.

You are currently living in overcrowded, substandard, or unaffordable housing.

You have had a steady income for the past 12 months.

You have a reasonably good credit record; debts are being addressed by timely payments or other special arrangements. Financial responsibility, not perfect credit, is required.

Non US citizens must have and provide Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card with photograph (INS Form I-551 or I-151).

You and/or your family must agree to contribute the required sweat equity (see below).

What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat equity is the unpaid labor invested by partners, their families and friends. These hours are required for LHFH home ownership. You and family members (16 years old or older) must be able to work Fridays and/or Saturdays on Habitat houses that are under construction. Additional sweat equity hours may be obtained by attending classes, assisting committees, and participating in Habitat events. These "sweat equity" hours must be satisfied prior to mortgage closing and before moving into a Habitat house.

The sweat equity hours required vary according to family size:
Single Adult Family: minimum 250 hours
Two+ Adult Family: minimum 350 hours

The time spent satisfying sweat equity provides a valuable contribution to our community. It also reduces the monetary costs of the house and increases the personal investment of each family member in their home. Sweat equity remains a key principle of HFH for its importance in building partnerships across economic, racial and national divisions.

How do I apply?

Complete a Preliminary Questionnaire (PQ) by following this link.

Submit the PQ and await a response. If your income appears to qualify for partnership, a complete application packet will be mailed to you with instructions on completion.

The Family Selection Committee will be available to assist you in completion of your application, if needed.

If you would like to be notified of LHFH's next Applicant Orientation during which partnership opportunities will be explained in greater detail, please send an email to pmcgraw@loudounhabitat.org.