Homeownership
Owning a home is achievable! Habitat for Humanity Okaloosa County makes homeownership possible and affordable for hard-working families who otherwise would find themselves trapped in deplorable conditions. They are able to gain the independence, security and financial stability that homeownership provides along with a sense of pride as they become a part of safe, thriving communities.
There are no categorical barriers to obtaining housing through Habitat, including race, color, religion, gender, handicap, familial status or national origin.
The first step towards qualifying for a home is to meet the basic pre-qualifications and submit the required information to the Habitat office.
The basic criteria to qualify for a Habitat home starts by living or working in Okaloosa County for at least one (1) year.
APPLICANTS MUST DEMONSTRATE
- Unhealthy or unsafe living conditions – landlord is not maintaining property
- Overcrowding
- Living with friends or family because you cannot afford to live on your own
- Receiving government assistance of Section 8 or live in public housing
- Unable to afford rent increases any longer
- Willingness to complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” per adult
- Participate in homebuyer educational workshops
- Must have stable income for at least one (1) year in order to make an affordable mortgage payment
- $500 application fee
- $35 credit report
- Owe less than 40% of your monthly income on expenses
- No bankruptcy in past three (3) years
- Acceptable credit payment history
- Applicant must have a bank account that will verify activities and balances as part of your requirements in your document list. Online accounts such as Chime are not acceptable.
ANNUAL GROSS INCOME REQUIREMENTS
| Family Size |
Minimum Income Requirement |
Maximum Income Requirement |
| One |
$20,706 |
$41,412 |
| Two |
$23,664 |
$47,328 |
| Three |
$26,622 |
$53,244 |
| Four |
$29,580 |
$59,160 |
| Five |
$34,313 |
$68,626 |
You must have a copy specific documents in order to apply. If you have a co-applicant, they must provide all of the same information about themselves. Originals cannot be accepted, you must provide us with copies that we can keep. Incomplete documentation will result in denial of application for lack of documentation. You may need to download Adobe Reader to view document.
Applications Are Currently Closed
Although applications are closed, now is a great time to get prepared!
Here is what our inquiry requires:
What questions are on our Homeownership Inquiry Form?
- I have not declared bankruptcy in the last three (3) years. I have not declared bankruptcy more than once in the last 20 years.
- I/We pay rent on time (Habitat for Humanity of Okaloosa will verify this.)
- I/We will partner with Habitat and put in 300 hours of “sweat equity” per adult; first, working on other families’ homes, then building my own home and working in the ReStore. I/We will also attend budget classes and workshops.
- I/We have lived or worked in Okaloosa County for at least one year prior to applying.
- None of our household members are registered sex offenders.
- I/We are US Citizens. (If you are a Resident Alien, you must provide a copy of your “Permanent Resident Alien” card, and it must not be expired.)
Do you have a need for housing? This will be verified by a Habitat associate.
- Overcrowding
- Poorly maintained or substandard conditions; I have requested repairs from landlord but they have not been fixed.
- I/We do not have a place of my own; live with family or friends.
- I/We currently receive assistance from Public Housing – Section 8 or HUD.
- I/We can no longer afford the increase in rent.
Applications are currently closed. Please check back soon.