NOTE: The homeownership program selection period is currently closed. If you are interested in applying, please either check back often on our website at berkeleyhabitat.org, or follow us on our social media accounts (links on our website) where we will be announcing our next homeownership program selection period as soon as it becomes available.


Homeownership Program Selection Process


Step 1: Self-Assessment


The Self-Assessment is a tool that we provide year-round to allow prospective applicants to determine whether they currently meet the initial eligibility requirements for the Berkeley Habitat homeownership program IF the homeowner selection period were open today. Check back often to our website and social media for the next homeowner selection period announcement when it becomes available!



Complete the Online Self Assessment Now

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



Step 2: Housing Need & Willingness to Partner Assessment


The Housing Need & Willingness to Partner Assessment is a short form that determines the level of an applicant's need for housing & assesses their willingness to partner with Berkeley Habitat to complete ALL homeownership  program requirements.



Dates & times in the below Steps is only for those who have already

 completed Steps 1 & 2 in the 2026 Homeowner Selection Period.


Please keep your schedule free on the following

 date/time for a mandatory Homeownership Orientation Meeting.


Homeownership Orientation Meeting - Friday, April 10, 2026 - 6:30pm (By ticket only. See below for more details.)



Step 3: Sign Up to Attend a Homeownership Orientation Meeting.


Online registration for the orientation meetings will go live on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 9:00 am. A link to the registration page will be provided to all who complete Assessment #2 (above). 


The Homeownership Program Orientation Meeting 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.


Immediately following the orientation meeting, attendees with continued interest in the homeownership program will be provided with the “Ability to Pay Assessment”, along with a list of required supporting documents.


Please keep your schedule open for the Homeownership Orientation Meeting which will be held at the following date/time:

  • Homeownership Orientation Meeting - Friday, April 10, 2026 - 6:30pm
    (By ticket only. Limited to 30 seats. First come first serve basis.).

    The meeting will be virtual.    *If you prefer to attend in-person, please contact Brian Davis, Family Services Manager at familyservices@berkeleyhabitat.org no later than Thursday, April 9 to arrange to attend the meeting in-person.

    *The above listed homeownership program orientation meetings are the ONLY orientation meetings planned at this time for this particular selection period.

    *Registration is automated and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

    *As a reminder, make sure that you have completed the self-assessment form on or after April 14, 2025 and no later than Friday, April 3, 2026.

Step 4: Complete and Submit Your Ability to Pay Assessment and Requested ID. 


Submit your Ability to Pay Assessment and copies of requested IDs by  Tuesday, April 14.

Below are tentative dates for Ability to Pay Assessment Interviews which will be held between 10-4pm. You MUST bring all supporting application documents as provided to you at the Homeownership Program Orientation Meeting to your scheduled Ability to Pay Assessment Interview Meeting.


Please begin to prepare your schedule to accommodate an Ability to Pay Assessment Interview within the following dates:


  • Ability to Pay Assessment Interview Schedule: Monday - Friday: April 20-24

    *Note: You can expect the interviews to last from 1-1.5 hours. So, please plan accordingly.


 IMPORTANT: 

  • Only persons who are registered to attend the orientation meetings will be permitted to attend. No exceptions.
  • A maximum of 1 registration per family, to include only those with a vested interest in applying, or co-applying, for a Habitat home loan.
  • Children are NOT PERMITTED to attend. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please be sure to make childcare arrangements in advance.



Please keep your schedule open on to accommodate a home visit during the following dates:


  • Home Visit Schedule: Monday-Wednesday: April 27 - April 29


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 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.