Using money, materials and time donated by individuals, businesses, faith and community organizations, Habitat works with partner families to build decent, affordable homes which are then sold to the homeowner at no profit, using a no-interest mortgage.  These monthly mortgage payments continue to help us build more homes for more families. Our partner families become partners, not only with Habitat but with the larger community which supports our ministry.

Habitat serves families whose incomes are between 25% and 60% of area median income, as shown in the chart below:

Household Size                         Income Range
                1                               11,575-27,780
                2                               13,250-31,800
                3                               14,900-35,760
                4                               16,550-39,720
                5                               17,875-42,900
                6                               19,200-46,080
                7                               20,525-49,260
                8                               21,850-52,440
(source: HUD 2008)

Families who apply to become Habitat homeowners are carefully screened based on three criteria:

Housing Need
• living in substandard housing (ex, overcrowding, unsafe or unsanitary conditions)
• living in subsidized housing
• cost burdened (paying more than 35% of monthly income for housing)

Ability to Pay
• having the same job or source of income for at least nine months
• ability to make monthly mortgage payments of 25% (¼) of gross income
• ability to save $1,800 toward closing costs
• having a workable credit history (no major outstanding debts, judgments or liens)

Willingness and Ability to Partner
• waiting up to a year or more for your home
• working 300 sweat equity hours
• attending required classes and workshops
• representing Habitat publicly at events and in the media

How to Apply
• Call the Habitat office at 410-546-1551 and request the brochure "How to Apply for a Habitat Home" and list of documents required for application
• Assemble all required documents
• Call the Habitat office and schedule an appointment to complete an application.  In addition to the required documents, bring a check or money order for $10 payable to Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County.  

Approval Process

Once you have provided all required documents and completed an application, a credit report will be ordered and the Family Selection Committee will determine your ability to pay a Habitat mortgage.  If you demonstrate the ability to pay, two members of the Family Selection Committee will conduct a home visit to determine your housing need.  If a housing need is demonstrated, you will be required to have a criminal background check conducted (drug distribution and sexual offense convictions are disqualifiers), and complete your first six hours of sweat equity.  At the completion of these steps, the Family Selection Committee will review all information related to your application and, if you are qualified, recommend you for approval as a Partner Family to the Board of Directors.  If approved by the Board, you will be required to sign a Partnership Agreement and then be matched to a property as soon as possible.

Applicants who are denied will be notified in a timely manner, including the reason(s) for denial, and referred to appropriate services to address any problems with their applications.  Applicants who are denied are eligible to re-apply no sooner than six months from the time of their denial.