Getting the keys is not the end of the story. It's the beginning of a new one, and Habitat for Humanity homeowners have been well prepared for it.

To qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, people in Habitat’s homeownership program complete 200 sweat equity hours, hands-on work that includes working on Habitat homes and taking Habitat courses in financial literacy and home maintenance. By the time a family moves in, they’ve been given the tools to manage a mortgage, a budget, and the upkeep of a home of their own.

That preparation is what makes everything after move-in day possible.

How Habitat for Humanity Homeowners Pay an Affordable Mortgage

To qualify for a Habitat home, homeowners must have acceptable credit and prove they pay bills on time. They must also have had a stable monthly income for the last two years. 

This income must fall between 30% and 80% of the Summit County Area Median Income (AMI) for their household size. The AMI limit shifts based on how many people will be living in the home, since a larger household needs more income to meet the same basic needs.

Habitat uses these numbers to confirm that homeowners can responsibly manage an affordable mortgage. Habitat either serves directly as the lender or helps secure a third-party mortgage aligned with program terms. These mortgage payments cycle back into the community and are used by Habitat to build more affordable homes for working community members.

Habitat Families Are Set Up for Continued Financial Stability

With the median property value in Summit County reaching $1.07 million in 2024 (Source: DataUSA), many working families are priced out of living where they earn their income. By providing affordable housing and a fixed, income-based mortgage payment that doesn’t fluctuate the way market-rate rent costs do, families can budget more effectively and put aside money for health care, home improvements, college education, and other goals.

This directly contributes to a family’s long-term success, supporting generational wealth, building credit, keeping kids in school, and improving the family’s health outcomes. Homeowners are also encouraged to invest in their new community by integrating into the neighborhood and making meaningful contributions.

Habitat’s success stories show just how life-changing becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner can be, both for the family and the community they’ve joined. As one shared, “People who were involved in building [my home] still come up to me in the community and ask how I like my new home. I love my home!”

Habitat’s involvement doesn’t end when they hand over the keys. They stay in touch with local homeowners to provide support and education. And homeowners stay involved with Habitat by attending events and paying it forward. Habitat also offers a home-repair program that provides a zero-interest loan for materials and volunteer labor to assist with repairs down the road.

Join Our Mission

Habitat homeownership is designed to transform lives, not only for homeowners but for those who volunteer with Habitat and support the mission. Learn how to help improve communities in the Wasatch Back and give families a hand up to a better future