Affordable Homeownership

At Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Our Homeownership Program provides an opportunity for hardworking, low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Northwest Vermont to achieve the dream of homeownership.

How it works

Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity partners with interested homebuyers who are ready and willing to contribute to building their future home. Our homes are sold at an affordable price, in collaboration with Champlain Housing Trust or Down Street Housing and Community Development, to empower local communities and safeguard affordable housing.

Key aspects of our Homeownership Program include:

Affordable Homeownership: Homes are sold at cost, making monthly payments affordable for homeowners.
Sweat Equity: Homebuyers contribute 200 hours of volunteer work, helping build their home and the homes of others.
Financial Education: Homebuyers receive guidance on budgeting, home maintenance, and financial planning to ensure long-term stability.
Community Partnership: We work with volunteers, donors, and local organizations to make homeownership possible for those in search of affordable homeownership.

Our Homeownership Program is designed for families who:

Have a demonstrated need for safe, stable, and affordable housing.
Meet income guidelines based on the area's median income.
Are willing to contribute sweat equity hours.

What is "Sweat Equity?"

Sweat equity is a cornerstone of Habitat for Humanity’s mission. This concept embodies the spirit of community, hard work, and personal investment in creating affordable housing solutions.

Sweat equity refers to the non-monetary contributions that future homeowners make towards their Habitat home. Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. At GMHFH, we want our homeowners to feel invested in the construction of their future homes.

Sweat equity is a way for homebuyers to invest their time and effort into building their own homes or those of other Habitat homebuyers. This investment goes beyond just physical labor; it’s about building community, learning valuable skills, and taking an active role in achieving the dream of homeownership.

Sweat Equity Requirements

All 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 and 25 hours in one of our three ReStores. 100 hours can be contributed by friends and family.

Future homeowners partner with Habitat by contributing their time and effort in various ways:

Construction Work: Homebuyers help build their own homes or those of other Habitat families.
ReStore Volunteering: Helping at the Habitat ReStore, assisting customers or organizing inventory.
Administrative Tasks: Writing thank-you notes to donors or helping with office work.
Homeowner Education: Participating in classes on mortgage management, home maintenance, and financial literacy.

Interested in a Habitat home?

Learn more about how to become a Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity homeowner.

Become a Homeowner

Our Partnerships

We partner with other local housing organizations to help families become financially qualified for homebuying, such as Champlain Housing Trust and Downstreet Housing & Community Development.

Learn more