Program Requirements
We serve the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County in Virginia. Interested in another area? Find your local Habitat Affiliate here.
You may be eligible for the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program if you meet the 3 guidelines: need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.
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1. Need
Substandard Living Conditions
Your current housing is one of the following:
•Overcrowded
•Substandard
•Unsafe
•Not affordable
•Not handicapped accessible
•You cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage -
2. Ability to Pay
An affordable mortgage
•Your projected mortgage payment will not exceed 30% of your gross income. You will need to qualify for a mortgage loan, as well as, meet our income and other additional criteria below:
•Not have any unpaid non-medical charge-offs on your credit report.
•No collections or unpaid judgments.
•Pay your rent on time.
•Had stable income for two years.
•Debt obligations (credit cards, car loans, etc.) must be no more than 13% of the applicant's income.
•Stipulations on bankruptcy and foreclosure apply.
•To obtain a free copy of your credit report visit annualcreditreport.com. -
AMI ChartFigures are subject to change depending on development and are based on the FY25 HUD Income Guidelines
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3. Willingness to Partner
And help build your own home.
Sweat Equity is required volunteer hours Future Homeowners obtain through working on homes, at the ReStore, attending classes and one-on-one budgeting meetings.
•You must be willing to complete 350 sweat equity hours.
•Attend Homebuyer Club classes as scheduled.
•Attend one-on-one budgeting meetings.
•Take responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of your home.
•Make your mortgage payments on time each month.
Additional Requirements
- Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Applicant must clear a criminal background check
- All adult (over 18) household members must sign a release for a background check
- Habitat is unable to serve applicants if any household member is a registered sex offender
- Any conviction(s) which are recent and/ or severe in nature will be evaluated on a case by case basis
