To make the dream of affordable homeownership achievable, Green Mountain Habitat partners with local families, financial donors, and community volunteers. We build safe, energy-efficient, affordable homes through these partnerships, giving families a hand-up (not a handout) to a better life. Ready to take the plunge into homeownership? Read on to learn more about homeownership qualifications and how to apply.
Do you qualify for a Habitat home?
Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Before you start the application process, please see if you meet the following three criteria:
1. Housing need
Demonstrate a need for a Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity home, including one or more of the following:
- Living in overcrowded conditions or unsafe environments
- Living with relatives, friends, or in other temporary housing
- Having housing expenses that are more than 30% of their household income
- Unable to qualify for conventional mortgages on a market-rate house
2. Ability to pay an affordable mortgage
Habitat homeowners must earn 80% or less of the HUD median household income levels, adjusted depending on the number of people living in the home. The income limits are listed below. Homeowners must be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage through a local bank or credit union.
2023 HUD Income Limits
HHI: Household Income
This information applies to all of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA.
| # in Household* | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum HHI | $33,650 | ||||||
| Maximum HHI | $63,600 | $72,700 | $81,800 | $90,850 | $98,150 | $105,400 | $112,700 |
*Household means all related or unrelated persons who occupy a housing unit.
3. Willingness to partner with Habitat
Once selected, future Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity. A single head of household must complete 200 hours of sweat equity, with at least 75 of those hours helping to build their home or the homes of others. Two heads of household must complete 400 hours of sweat equity with at least 150 hours at the home build site. Other sweat equity hours may include working at the Habitat ReStores, completing financial training, homeownership training, and meeting with Habitat staff.
Next steps
If you feel you meet the above criteria and want to apply, here’s what you do next.
- Step one: Visit Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) ‘s website to begin the financial eligibility application process and complete a Homebuyer Education course.
- Step two: CHT will contact GMHFH if you are financially eligible to purchase a home.
- Step three: A GMHFH Family Selection Committee member will contact you to submit a GMHfH Application. The committee will review all applications and determine who the next homeowners will be. All applicants will receive a notification of their eligibility status.
