IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:


WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP FROM VETERANS & FIRST RESPONDERS for our 'HEROES BUILD'!


'Heroes Build' is being added to our normal schedule of builds.


NOTE: FOR THIS APPLICATION PERIOD YOU MUST

 EITHER BE A VETERAN OR A FIRST RESPONDER. 


  • If you are a Veteran, you must LIVE or WORK in Berkeley County.
  • If you are a First Responder, you must SERVE in Berkeley County.



Homeownership Program Selection Process


Veterans & First Responders, here is how to apply:



Step 1: Complete the Self-Assessment between August 21 - September 11.


PLEASE BE SURE TO ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS CORRECTLY IN THE SELF-ASSESSMENT as it will be used in an automated email response to you containing a link to the second assessment and instructions for next steps.


Complete the Online Self Assessment Now

NOTE: The Self-Assessment is NOT itself an application for the homeownership program.


Step 2: Complete the Housing Need & Willingness to Partner Assessment 


Once you complete Step 1 above, you will receive an email with a link to the Housing Need & Willingness to Partner Assessment – a short form that details the level of an applicant's need for housing and assesses their willingness to partner with Berkeley Habitat to complete ALL homeownership program requirements if qualified and selected.


Step 3: Sign Up to Attend a Homeownership Program Information Session.

The Homeownership Program Information Session covers all you will need to know about the Berkeley Habitat homeownership program, including:


  • Selection process and timeline.
  • Program requirements and expectations.
  • Brief overview of Berkeley Habitat’s mission to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
  • Next/Final steps of the selection process.


Step 4: Complete & Return Your Completed Ability to Pay Assessment and Copies of Requested IDs 


Immediately following the homeownership program information session, prospective applicants with a continued interest in applying will be provided with a link to the third and final assessment, “Ability to Pay Assessment”. 


Note: There is an application fee of $50 for a single applicant, $75 if applying with a co-applicant which is required in order to pull your credit. This fee covers the credit check and background check. Various electronic payment options are accepted and will be provided to you.


A link to a secure portal will be provided where applicants can submit a copy of their final signed and dated assessment and supporting application files. 


An in-person interview will be scheduled with applicants pending a soft credit pull/review. Following this, application processing will begin.


Note:


  • All selected program participants are pre-qualified for a home loan while participating in the homeownership program.
  • Qualifying for a Habitat home loan is contingent upon the successful completion of ALL Habitat homeownership program requirements.
  • The Homeownership Program Selection Process takes a total of about 1-3 months on average to complete. 
  • Expect the total time from the beginning of the homeownership program to house completion to be 12-18 months. 
  • Each home build takes about 6-9 months on average once construction begins. 
  • Most builds are completed one-at-a-time.
  • All program participants are responsible for working on the current construction project already in progress until their home construction begins. 
  • Habitat for Humanity does not provide immediate housing.
  • All program participants are responsible for their own housing during the duration of the program.