The income level that qualifies you to apply to our homeownership program is between 30% and 80% of the current median income level in your area. You must earn enough income to afford the price of a home. We define an affordable mortgage as one which keeps your total housing costs at or below 30% of your gross household income and the household’s total debt should also not be more than 40% of the monthly income. The applicant and co-applicant’s credit history will be investigated and your Equifax credit score must be at least 640.

View Tri-Cities Income Guidelines →

View Walla Walla Income Guidelines →

You and your family must be willing to put in 500 hours of unpaid volunteer work for various projects. This is known as sweat equity and is required of all Habitat families. Once you are accepted as a Habitat family, you may be helping to build houses other than your own. If you have physical limitations that would keep you from swinging a hammer or performing other manual labor, you can help with office work or assist in the Habitat store. Your willing participation in these projects not only helps with the work of Habitat for Humanity, but also shows your sincerity and commitment to the partnership.

Once accepted as a candidate family, you must begin saving money each month to pay the closing costs on your Habitat home mortgage. This money must be paid before you can move into your home. The average closing cost for one of your homes is $9,000. Since you will have up to two years to save, a small amount saved each month will get you to this goal. You must also agree to make regular monthly house payments. It is important that these payments are made on time because your mortgage payments go toward building the home of the next family on the list.

Additionally, a First Time Homebuyers class through Washington State Housing Finance Commission is required. This class is taken offsite by an approved lender. Click on the link below for additional information and instructions on how to get signed up for a class that fits your schedule. The class is required and must be completed by all applicants before the Dedication of their new home. At the end of the mandatory class, applicants are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

First Time Homebuyers Class →

While the application period is closed, you can prepare by gathering the following required documents.

• Tax returns
• W-2 forms
• Proof of rent paid
• Paycheck stubs
• Bank statements
• Credit card statements
• Social Security cards (for everyone in household)
• Driver’s licenses for applicant or co-applicant
• Verification of US Residency/Citizenship
• Verification of divorce, if applicable
• Verification of dependent custody, if applicable
• Verification of alternative income (social security, child support, food stamps, etc.)