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.

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.

Your current housing must be inadequate based on the size and/or condition of the home or some other factor. For example, you may be experiencing unsafe or unhealthy conditions, overcrowding, pest infestations, or paying too much for rent.

Are you prepared to wait as long as two years for your home to be built? Habitat for Humanity is not an emergency housing program or a quick fix to your current housing situation. Our goal is to build communities as well as homes, and this process takes time. We are trying to provide a permanent solution.

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.

Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity relies upon the goodwill of our community to build and repair homes for qualified families. Donations and volunteer labor by individuals and groups are our primary sources of support. For public relations purposes, you and your family may be asked to pose for photos or be interviewed by news or television reporters. More importantly, as a Habitat family, you must be willing to keep up your Habitat home in a manner that speaks well of the organization. This means that you are expected to keep your home and lot in good order and not to engage in any activities that are disruptive to the community or are in any way illegal.

In addition, a First Time Homebuyers class through Washington State Housing Finance Commission is required. This class is taken offsite by an approved lender. Please click on the link below for additional information and instructions on how to get signed up for a class that fits your schedule.

First Time Homebuyers Class Link

These classes are required, and must be completed by all applicants before the Dedication of their new home. At the end of these mandatory classes, applicants are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Habitat has several opportunities available including event, project, build and home sponsorships. If you are interested in sponsorship, please call us at 509-943-5555 or email info@habitat-tcp.org. We sincerely thank the companies and organizations who have partnered with us this past year.

While the application period is closed, you can prepare by gathering these required documents for applying:

• 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.)