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How To Apply

Learn about the process of becoming a Habitat Homeowner.

DuPage Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with qualifying partner families and the community, and then sells the homes at no profit to Habitat and with zero percent interest rate mortgages to partnering families. The following steps describe the process of becoming a Habitat Homeowner:

Step 1: ASK YOURSELF...

• Are you a US citizen or legal residents of the U.S. who live or work in DuPage County?


• Do you have a need for affordable housing? Is the current home overcrowded, unsafe or is the rent is higher than 30% of your family’s income?


• Can you demonstrate a steady income? In addition, does your household income fall within the DuPage Habitat established guidelines?


• Do you have a stable credit history, manageable debt load, absence of liens and judgments? (If not, contact the DuPage Home Ownership Center (DHOC) to begin working on improving your credit!)


• Are you willing to partner with DuPage Habitat? Prospective homeowners must INVEST a minimum of 250 hours of "sweat equity" for each applicant and co- applicant by working on DuPage Habitat homes, at fund raisers and events, or in the office. Some hours must be invested in budgeting and financial classes.


• Are you able to re-pay a 30 year interest-free mortgage? Are you willing to agree to live in a home and not rent it out?

Step 2: LEARN MORE

Interested families must attend a Homeowner Information Session. Meetings are held at the DuPage Habitat for Humanity Offices in Wheaton IL at 1600 E. Roosevelt Road. If you are applying with a spouse, partner or other co-applicant, BOTH OF YOU must attend the ENTIRE Information Session.

Step 3: TAKE ACTION TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE

People wishing to apply to the DuPage Habitat program must first sign-up with the DuPage Home Ownership Center (DHOC) for individual pre-purchase counseling. The screening process includes several steps including attending a class and counseling sessions to help determine your financial eligibility to the Habitat program.

A DHOC Counselors will work with you to:

• Determine what mortgage you can afford
• Develop a budget and savings plan to help you achieve your goal
• Address credit problems that could prevent you from qualifying for a Habitat home
• Create a customized Action Plan with specific, manageable steps to help you achieve your goal of purchasing a Habitat home
• Help you fill-out a DuPage Habitat For Humanity Application

To sign-up for pre-purchase counseling, call DHOC at (630) 260- 2500.

Step 4: GETTING CLOSER

After financial eligibility is determined through the DHOC counseling, families can apply for the DuPage Habitat homeownership program. The application process could take up to 1 month. The process has several steps, including an in- home interview with the applicant family, and consideration by the Habitat Board of Directors.

Step 5: CONGRATULATIONS

Once the above steps are complete and an applicant family is determined to be eligible, the family receives an invitation to become a Partner Family. Partner Families sign a “letter of intent” confirming the elements of partnership.

The family invests a $1000 down payment and attends homeownership classes such as home repair, budgeting and others. ‘Sweat Equity’ hours are earned for these classes. A specific house is assigned to the family and the family continues to earn ‘Sweat Equity’ on the build site.

When the family completes 100% of the ‘Sweat Equity,’ has finished all the required classes, and has saved money to cover the closing cost, then Habitat sells the home to the family and holds a dedication celebration.

Step 6: HOMEOWNERSHIP

Habitat homeowners continue to make interest-free mortgage payments for 30 years. They build equity in their home and develop a firm financial foundation for the future. Habitat remains a partner for the term of the loan.

Non-Discrimination Policy: DuPage Habitat is an equal opportunity houser. Fair and equal treatment is given to all applicants for homeownership regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or veteran status as protected by law.

Non-Discrimination Policy: DuPage Habitat is an equal opportunity houser. Fair and equal treatment is given to all applicants for homeownership regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or veteran status as protected by law.

Did you previously apply but did not meet the criteria to become a partner family? Families are welcome to re-apply to the program if they feel their situation has improved. Returning families should attend any of the upcoming information sessions to obtain application details.