At Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, we say we provide a hand up, not a handout. That’s because all Habitat homeowners have to agree to partner with Habitat and put in work toward their own home and the community. We call this work “sweat equity” because it requires both time and effort, financially, physically, and educationally.
As a result, by the time a family completes the Habitat homeownership program and receives their house keys, they are better prepared to maintain their home, manage a budget, and keep their kids enrolled in the same school year after year.
How the Habitat Homeownership Program Works
The first step in our program is to complete an application. We also hold information sessions throughout the year to help families understand the application process and answer any questions before they apply.
To qualify for our homeownership program, families must first meet these requirements:
- Applicants must meet Summit County deed restriction workforce requirements.
- They must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
- They must be a first-time home buyer, meaning they haven’t owned a home in the past three years, or be a displaced spouse.
- They cannot have had a bankruptcy discharge within the past three years.
If a family meets those criteria and completes the application, we then evaluate them by three criteria:
- Need for housing.
Habitat determines housing needs by assessing whether a family is in a substandard living situation, meaning their current home is unaffordable, too small, or unsafe for them.
- Ability to pay a mortgage.
Applicants need steady income and good credit to qualify.
- Willingness to partner with Habitat.
As part of the Habitat Homeownership Program, homeowners commit their time to work with Habitat and take our financial education courses. These courses help build the budgeting skills families need to pay their mortgage and sustain homeownership long-term.
The Power of Partnership
In total, families must complete 200 hours of sweat equity as part of the Habitat Homeownership Program before they get their home. That can involve working alongside Habitat and volunteers on construction sites, helping at the Park City ReStore, and helping out at Habitat’s fundraising events.
Habitat stays involved throughout the process, from application submission through the homeownership program, and even after a family receives their keys and moves into their home. We stay involved by answering questions and providing support over the years.
Habitat serves as both the builder and mortgage lender for our homes, and we are deeply invested in our homeowners and providing them with the long-term stability they need to work and live in our community.
Who has the Habitat Homeownership Program helped? A Park Record article by Toria Barnhart introduces us to five recent homeowners:
“A mother of three who’s lived in Park City for over a decade. A city planner commuting from Salt Lake City, his wife, and their 9-month-old daughter. An excited couple hoping to create a lifetime of memories for their young family. A diligent, hardworking Summit County employee and her son. A family with a dream to stay in the community they’ve come to cherish.”
These families all live in Silver Creek Village, a master-planned community in Summit County that features a mix of affordable, attainable, and market-rate housing. The community includes several parks, playgrounds, and sports fields, as well as a community garden.
Habitat has helped build 26 affordable homes in this community to support our local workforce.
Consider a Donation
Habitat homes are not just given; they’re built in partnership with homeowners, volunteers, and local businesses to support the strength of families and the surrounding communities as a whole. Please consider making a donation to support hardworking families near you.
