deserves a safe, stable, and affordable home
Habitat Greensboro is not currently accepting applications.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro helps individuals and families buy a home they love with a mortgage that they can afford. Every Habitat home is an investment, and we view the path to homeownership as a journey. That’s why we partner with individuals and families from the time that they apply for the program, through construction, and until they receive the keys to their new home!
By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more. Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time, and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
Applicants for our program go through several steps to ensure that they are a great fit for the Homeownership Program. We require all potential homeowners to meet the following criteria:
basic requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Have a current lease in the applicant (s) name for at least one year.
- Have primary Greensboro area residency or permanent employment in the Greensboro area for at least one year (Applicants who live and work in High Point, Trinity, or Archdale will be referred to that affiliate.)
- Employed at current job for a period of six months or more, and able to show 12 months of consecutive employment.
- Must agree to credit and criminal background checks.
- Provide evidence of legal separation or divorce (or other legal releases as appropriate) if a spouse is not participating as an applicant.
evaluation criteria
Please note that Habitat Greensboro’s program criteria include income guidelines and evaluate applications based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.
need is defined as:
- Cost burdened – More than 30% of monthly income is spent on housing.
- Subsidized housing
- Overcrowded housing
- Living in temporary housing
- Unsafe housing that poses a risk to health and safety
ability to pay is defined as:
An applicant’s household income must be between 30-80% of the Area Median Income. Additionally, applicants must be able to pay the cost of their monthly mortgage. Mortgage prices will vary, and are based on several factors, including but not limited to, household size, etc.
willingness to partner is defined as:
Applicants must be willing to partner with Habitat Greensboro through Sweat Equity hours. Sweat equity is time spent assisting with construction, attending classes, and other activities sponsored or approved by Habitat Greensboro.
Here is an average breakdown of how future homeowners complete Sweat Equity hours:
- 60% on Education
- 25% on Construction
- 15% on Special Events
If our program meets your needs, we encourage you to apply by filling out an application.
frequently asked questions
Does Habitat Greensboro give homes away?
No. Habitat Greensboro provides qualifying households the opportunity to purchase affordable homes.
How long does it take to complete the process for purchasing a Habitat home?
The process can take 12 months to 18 months from beginning to end. The process starts when you apply for a Habitat home and finishes when you and your family move into your new home.
How do I get my W-2?
Contact your employer. If you are unable to contact your employer, you should have copies with the company you used to file your taxes. If neither are available, please visit the IRS website and download the wage and income transcripts for the years you are missing your W2 – https://www.irs.gov/payments/your-online-account
How do I get my Tax Returns?
Contact the company that you used to pay taxes. If you are unable, you can download tax returns at the IRS website.
Do applicants have to have children or be married to purchase a home through Habitat Greensboro?
No. Applications are selected on three criteria:
- Need for adequate housing
- Willingness to partner with Habitat Greensboro
- Ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan
Habitat Greensboro is an equal housing opportunity provider that does not discriminate for any reasons related to race, sex, national origin, religion, familial status, handicap, or color.
What types and sizes of homes are available?
Habitat Greensboro builds one-story homes with 2 bedrooms with 2 baths, 3 bedrooms with 2 baths, 4 bedrooms with 2 baths, or 5 bedrooms with 3 baths.
All homes have central air conditioning and heating and are Energy Star qualified, which means they meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
What is expected of a homebuyer once approved?
Homebuyers are expected to complete the required sweat-equity hours in building their home and others, pay modest closing costs, and attend homeowner education classes with the affiliate. (Education classes are counted toward required sweat equity hours)
What is sweat equity?
At Habitat sweat equity is a program requirement and is the homebuyer investing in their home or one for another family. Sweat equity is not a form of payment, but an opportunity to work alongside volunteers who give their time to bring to life a family’s dream of owning a home.
Sweat equity can take many forms that include construction work on the homebuyer’s home or on a home for another family, cleaning up the build site, working in a Habitat ReStore, assisting in administrative duties, or countless other ways of helping out.
Program Sweaty Equity Requirements:
200 hours (Recycled Homes & Veterans) and 250 hours (New Homes)
Can family members and friends pitch in to meet the required sweat equity hours?
Yes, family members and friends can help and are encouraged to pitch in. Their work counts toward your required sweat equity hours.
If I complete this process, can I customize my Habitat home?
At the beginning of the building process, you can choose the cabinet and shutter colors, the type of flooring and other options.
Yes, for homebuyers that complete the process, after you close on your home and move in, there are other changes you are able to make, such as paint colors on the inside.
There are some restrictions, which will be addressed during the orientation process.
How do you Calculate Mortgage Payments? (For New Homes & Recycled Homes)
For both new and recycled homes the monthly mortgage payments are calculated based on the home buyer’s income at the time of closing in conjunction with appraised home value. (Loan Terms do not to exceed a 30 years)
contact homeowner services
Questions? Please email our Homeowner Services Department at homeinfo@hhgg.org, or click HERE to complete our contact form.
Contact us by phone at 336.275.HOME (4663) and select option #2.