Affordable Home Buying Opportunity for Individuals and Families
New and Fully-Rehabilitated 2 & 3 Bedroom Homes Now Available
Achieve the Dream of Homeownership
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is looking for individuals and families who want to buy affordable homes in Central Maryland.
We extend the dream of homeownership to individuals and families by offering new and fully-rehabilitated 2 & 3 bedroom homes with:
- All-new washer & dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher.
- Energy efficient windows and doors.
- Central air conditioning and heat.
- Affordable monthly payments.
Read on to learn about what we look for in our homebuyers and how to get started!
Home Buying Opportunity for Low-to-Moderate Income Families
New and Fully-Rehabilitated 2 & 3 Bedroom Homes Now Available
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is looking for individuals and families who want to buy affordable homes in Central Maryland.
We extend the dream of homeownership to low-to-moderate income families by offering new and fully-rehabilitated 2 & 3 bedroom homes with:
- All-new appliances.
- Energy efficient windows and doors.
- Central air conditioning and heat.
- Low monthly payments.
Read on to learn about what we look for in our homebuyers and how to get started!
Explore the 3D Tour!
What We Look For
Ability to Pay
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake partners with a unique group of deserving individuals—hardworking men and women who make enough money to pay a monthly mortgage, but not enough to qualify for traditional bank loans.
Below is a chart of income guidelines for individuals and families qualified for the Habitat Chesapeake program.
| People in Household | Minimum Household Income | Maximum Household Income |
| 1 | $24,400 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $27,900 | $71,550 |
| 3 | $31,400 | $80,500 |
| 4 | $34,850 | $89,400 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $96,600 |
Guidelines are based on applicant’s gross income (Source: HUD).
Income Stability
An applicant must have stable, verifiable employment and/or long-term stable benefits. Applicants must have uninterrupted employment for at least one year.
Credit: We review credit reports for indications of homebuyer readiness, however applicants must meet the following credit guideline
- Have a minimum credit score of 600**
- Have no open judgments or liens at the time of application
- Bankruptcies must be discharged for 2 or more years
- Reasonable ratio of monthly debt payments to monthly income
**Other relevant positive payment history will be considered in the absence of traditional credit usage.
Need for Decent, Affordable Housing
Individuals and families must be in need of better living conditions. This includes living in overcrowded or deteriorating conditions, living with family or friends, or paying too much to rent a sub-standard house or apartment.
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is an equal opportunity housing provider. Habitat considers applicants without regard to race, religious preference, sex, gender, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Willingness to Partner
To solidify the concept of partnership, homebuyers are required to invest “sweat equity” volunteer hours when purchasing a Habitat Chesapeake home.
An individual homebuyer must complete 250 hours of sweat equity: 200 hours of volunteer service and 50 hours of homebuyer education.
A two-adult household when applying as co-applicants, must complete 350 hours of sweat equity: 300 hours of volunteer service and 50 hours of homebuyer education.
In this partnership, Habitat Chesapeake works with each partner family to ensure they maintain the credit and financial standing necessary to purchase their Habitat Chesapeake home, and the ability and commitment to make timely monthly mortgage payments on their affordable home.
Apply Today!
Step 1: Attend a Homebuyer Information Session
Interested in owning your own home? Join Habitat Chesapeake for a Homebuyer Information Session, and learn all about our homeownership program including:
- Eligibility criteria
- How to prepare your finances for homeownership
- How to apply
- Benefits of homeownership
Attending one of these sessions is mandatory for acceptance into the program. Stay tuned for our next live session.
You can also view an abbreviated, pre-recording of the session here.
Spots for these sessions are limited. Register in advance so we can save you a seat!
Step 2: Complete the Pre-Qualification Application
If after reading through the requirements above and attending the webinar you think you may qualify for Habitat Chesapeake’s homeownership program, we ask that you complete the pre-qualification questionnaire.
The pre-qualification questionnaire is not a final application for homeownership. This form is to help determine if the Habitat Chesapeake program might be a good fit for your household. It’s one step in the process of applying for a home.
Step 3: Documentation
The process begins with completion of the pre-qualification application and submission of requested documents. The documents required are:
- Most recent tax return
- Valid driver’s license or identification, social security card, and birth certificate
- Three months of your most recent paystubs
- Three most recent years taxes (State, Federal, and W2’s)
- Signed employment verification form
- Rental reference from current landlord
- Twelve consecutive months of rental receipts
- Twelve consecutive months of gas/electric bills
- Twelve consecutive months of telephone bills
- Twelve consecutive months of credit card or cable/internet bills
- Twelve consecutive statements for checking, savings, and any retirement accounts
- Public Assistance, Social Security, Retirement, or Pension Letters (if applicable)
If you have any questions, call 443.805.6011
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