Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley is a Christian housing ministry financed through private donations and volunteer labor. Our goal is to enter into partnership with families currently living in substandard housing, who wish to own their own home, but have not been able to get the help they need anywhere else. We build simple, decent, affordable homes and sell these homes to selected families at no profit and no interest.

The primary qualifications for the Habitat for Humanity program are:
1.) Need for adequate shelter;
2.) Ability to pay; and
3.) Willingness to partner.
4.) US citizen or legal permanent resident

The following information further defines the criteria we use to determine the families with whom we will partner. Please read it carefully to decide whether you and your family have an interest in our ministry AND to see if you meet our general guidelines.

1. HOUSE CONDITION
To qualify you must have a housing need. For example: no indoor plumbing, poor heating, leaks in the roof, overcrowding, unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

2. INCOME LEVEL
Your income must fall between 40% and 60% of the median income for the Salem-Keizer area. This is for total family income. (See figures on back of this page.) This should be a steady source of income, although not enough for you to qualify for a traditional bank loan.

3. STEADY INCOME
You must have a steady source of income so that you can afford the modest monthly mortgage payments on a Habitat home. Although donated labor and materials keep the cost of Habitat homes low, they are not free. With your permission, we will verify employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, and have a credit check done. Evidence of ability to pay off any and all bad debts and financial judgments must exist.

4. SWEAT EQUITY
Your family must be willing and able to contribute 500 hours of volunteer labor to build your home, other Habitat homes, or do other Habitat work. Before construction is begun on your home, you will already have completed at least 200 hours of sweat equity. Think about how you can work this into your schedules.

5. TIME
You must be willing and able to wait for up to two years before the Habitat home is completed for your family. Habitat is not an emergency housing program. We are building community as well as homes, and our process takes time.

6. AREA OF THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE HOME WILL BE BUILT
You must be willing to accept a home in any neighborhood of the community. We cannot guarantee that the home you will be offered will be in any given part of a community.

7. POLICY REGARDING HOME ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
You must be willing to accept the home that is assigned to your family by Habitat, determined by the size and special needs of your family. Homes constructed by Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley may be single family detached dwellings, single family attached homes, or condos. Non-acceptance of the home drops you from the program. You may reapply in a year.

If you fit these guidelines and are interested in being considered as a candidate family for Habitat for Humanity, you are strongly encouraged to attend the next Applicant Information meeting. Please fill out our online Interest Form and we will notify you when our next meeting is scheduled.
INCOME LEVEL FOR HABITAT CANDIDATE FAMILY:  40-60% of median income
(Figures Based on Gross Income and Updated Each March)

Your family income should be above the first figures and below the second figures in the columns above in order for you to qualify.

If you would like to learn more about homeownership, call us (503) 364-6642 or complete the online interest form and we will contact you before we have our next meeting.