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Homeownership Application 2024

Welcome to the Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County homeownership application process! Before completing the application, please read through these guidelines to make sure you understand the entire process prior to applying. Please contact the Homeowner Services Manager with any additional questions. In order to be considered for the Homeownership Program you must bring copies of the documents listed on the checklist at the end of this application to our office location at 7 Hopkins St. St. Augustine, FL 32084 within one week of online application submission. Our office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday. If you are unable to print these items, please visit the office to obtain hard copies.

 

  1. Verifiable Income- We are going to verify your income and it must be expected to continue for at least three years. This means we will need pay stubs, bank statements, and proof of benefits. Child Support will only be counted if it has been consecutive for the last 6 months of application submission date and will continue for the next three years. Proof of payment and the court order are required. Personal non-retirement assets cannot exceed $15,000 for nonelderly applicants and $20,000 for elderly applicants. This includes land.
     
  2. Married Individuals- Both spouses must be listed on the application as applicant and co-applicant. Both individuals must meet the qualifying factors and provide all the required documentation.
     
  3. Credit Check- We are going to review your credit. Your credit score must meet a 640 minimum. If you are applying with a co-applicant, both credit scores must meet the 640 minimum. If you know it does not meet our requirements, or you have no credit score, please reach out to the Homeowner Services Manager for resources on improving your credit. Please do not rely on credit karma or similar credit checks as these are often inaccurate or incomplete. Federal law gives you the right to get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus. We recommend utilizing this service, which can be accessed only by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.
     
  4. Debt-to-Income- Your debt-to-income (DTI) needs to be under 45%. Your DTI compares how much you owe each month to how much you earn. Your monthly home cost will be projected at 30% of your gross income (amount you make before deductions such as taxes). If you need assistance in configuring this, please reach out to the Homeowner Services Manager for local credit counselor resources.
     
  5. Immediate Housing- Habitat for Humanity is not a plan for emergency housing, but for sustainable affordable housing. The process from application to closing on your new house could take anywhere from 6 - 12 months. If you need assistance with immediate housing, please reach out to our Homeowner Services Manager for local resources.
     
  6. Sweat Equity Hours- Each applicant and co-applicant are required to volunteer 200 individual hours on our construction site. For people with disabilities, we make reasonable accommodations to ensure you fulfill your sweat equity hours. These hours also include workshops, education classes, and being present at events. These hours are typically available Tuesday - Saturday from 8am-3pm. Your schedule would need to be free on one of these days in order to fulfill your sweat equity requirements.
     
  7. Homeowner Selection Committee- Your application will then go under review with the Homeowner Selection Committee. If approved you will enter into the second application stage which will include a criminal background check, sexual offender check, employment verification, and a loan prequalification meeting to determine eligibility status established by our lender.  

Your Contact Information

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Habitat Homeownership Program Application

Dear Applicant: Please complete this application for the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program truthfully, completely and accurately.
All information you include on this application will be maintained in accordance with our privacy policy.

The field Type of Credit is required.
The numeric field Number of joint applicants: is required.

Habitat Homeownership Qualifications

Please answer the questions in this block to ensure that you are aware of the qualifications for the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program.

Please note: If you choose to proceed with this application and do not meet the basic qualifications, your application will be denied. 

The field I have lived or worked in St. Johns County for one year or longer. is required.
The field I do not currently own a home, and have not owned one in the previous 3 years (not including divorced assets). is required.
The field I am willing to contribute 200 'sweat equity hours' helping to build my home and my neighbors homes. is required.
The field I currently have a credit score of 640 or higher. is required.
The field My yearly gross household income falls within one of the following brackets determined by household size: is required.
The field I am aware that if I choose to proceed with this application and do not currently meet the qualifications, my application will be denied. is required.

Applicant Information: Primary Applicant

The field Applicant's Name: is required.
The maximum length for the field Alternative/Former Names is 500 characters.
The numeric field Social Security Number is required.
The phone field Phone Number is required.
The numeric field Age is required.
The date field Date of Birth is required.
The field Marital Status is required.
The field Dependents: Please list the names, ages, and sex of your dependents. (Ex: Damian Barnes, 13, M) is required.
The field Present Address: (Street, city, state, ZIP) is required.
The field Own or Rent? is required.
The numeric field Number of years at current address: is required.
The maximum length for the field If less than 2 years, provide former address: is 500 characters.

Unmarried Addendum:

The lender may use the Unmarried Addendum only when a borrower selected “Unmarried” in Section 1 and the information collected is necessary to determine how state property laws directly or indirectly affecting creditworthiness apply, including ensuring clear title. For example, the lender may use the Unmarried Addendum when the borrower resides in a state that recognizes civil unions, domestic partnerships or registered reciprocal beneficiary relationships or when the property is located in such a state. “State” means any state, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States.

The field Is there a person who is not your legal spouse but who currently has real property rights similar to those of a legal spouse? is required.
The maximum length for the field State in which relationship was formed (e.g. FL) is 500 characters.

Applicant Information: Co-Applicant

The maximum length for the field Applicant's Name: is 500 characters.
The maximum length for the field Alternative/Former Names is 500 characters.
The field Social Security Number must be a number.
The field Phone Number must be a phone number.
The field Age must be a number.
The field Date of Birth must be a date.
The maximum length for the field Dependents: Please list the names, ages, and sex of your dependents. (Ex: Damian Barnes, 13, M) is 5000 characters.
The maximum length for the field Present Address: (Street, city, state, ZIP) is 500 characters.
The field Number of years at current address: must be a number.
The maximum length for the field If less than 2 years, provide former address: is 500 characters.

Military Service

The field Did you (or your deceased spouse) serve, or are you currently serving, in the United States Armed Forces? (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, Reserve or National Guard) is required.
The field If currently serving active duty, what is the projected expiration date of service/tour? must be a date.
The field Is anyone else in your household serving, or did they serve, in the United States Armed Forces? is required.

Willingness to Partner

To be considered for the Habitat homeownership program, all applicants must be willing to complete a certain number of "sweat equity" hours, which may include hours spent helping to build your home and the homes of others, attending homeownership classes, and/or other approved activities. 

The field I am willing to complete the required sweat equity hours: is required.

Present Housing Conditions:

The field Currently you are (select all that apply): is required.
The numeric field Number of bedrooms: is required.
The field Other rooms in the place you are currently living: is required.
The field In the space below, describe the condition of the house or apartment where you live. Why do you need a Habitat home? is required.
The field Name, address, and phone number of current landlord: is required.

Property Information

Please note: Habitat St. Johns cannot build on individually owned land. Please include a property appraisal for any owned land. 

The field Do you currently own real estate? is required.
The maximum length for the field If yes, please provide the date of the most recent appraisal and the opinion of market value per the appraisal: is 500 characters.

Employment Information: Primary Applicant

Please note: Self-employed applicants will be required to provide additional documents such as tax returns and financial statements. 

The field Name and address of current employer: is required.
The date field Start date is required.
The numeric field Annual (gross) wages: is required.
The field Type of business: is required.
The phone field Business phone: is required.
The maximum length for the field If working at current job less than one year, please provide the name and address of your previous employer: is 500 characters.
The field Years at previous employer: must be a number.
The field Annual (gross) wages with previous employer: must be a number.
The maximum length for the field Type of business of previous employer: is 500 characters.
The field Business phone of previous employer: must be a phone number.
The field If you are the business owner or self-employed, what is your monthly income (or loss)? must be a number.

Employment Information: Co-Applicant

Please note: Self-employed applicants will be required to provide additional documents such as tax returns and financial statements. 

The maximum length for the field Name and address of current employer: is 5000 characters.
The field Start date must be a date.
The field Annual (gross) wages: must be a number.
The maximum length for the field Type of business: is 500 characters.
The field Business phone: must be a phone number.
The maximum length for the field If working at current job less than one year, please provide the name and address of your previous employer: is 500 characters.
The field Years at previous employer: must be a number.
The field Annual (gross) wages with previous employer: must be a number.
The maximum length for the field Type of business of previous employer: is 500 characters.
The field Business phone of previous employer: must be a phone number.
The field If you are the business owner or self-employed, what is your monthly income (or loss)? must be a number.

Source of down payment and escrow cushion costs

Habitat applicants are required to put down a $500 deposit at the time of the purchase agreement signing. The esccrow cushion costs are due at closing and encompass the property taxes, insurance, and termite bond (est. $3,000 - $4,000 due at closing). 

The field Where will you get the money to make the deposit and pay for the escrow cushion (for example, savings or gifts from family or others)? If you borrow the money, from whom will you borrow it and how will you pay it back? is required.

Declarations: Primary Applicant

The field Are there any outstanding judgements because of a court decision against you? is required.
The field Have you declared bankruptcy within the past 7 years? is required.
The field Have you had any property foreclosed upon in the past 7 years? is required.
The field Are you party to a lawsuit in which you potentially have any personal financial liability? is required.
The field Have you conveyed title to a property in lieu of foreclosure or completed a pre-foreclosure sale or short sale (where the lender agreed to accept less than the outstanding mortgage balance due) within the past 7 years? is required.
The field Are you currently delinquent or in default on any federal debt or any other loan, mortgage financial obligation, or loan guarantee? is required.
The field Are you a co-signer or guarantor on any debt of loan that is not disclosed on the liabilities addendum found at the end of this application? is required.
The field Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident? is required.
The maximum length for the field If you answered "yes" to any question in this section, or are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, please explain below: is 5000 characters.

Declarations: Co-Applicant

The maximum length for the field If you answered "yes" to any question in this section, or are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, please explain below: is 5000 characters.

Demographic Information: Primary Applicant

The purpose of collecting this information is to help ensure that all applicants are being treated fairly, that the housing needs of communities and neighborhoods are being fulfilled, and to otherwise evaluate our programs and report to our funders. For residential mortgage lending, Federal law requires that we ask applicants for their demographic information (ethnicity, sex and race) in order to monitor our compliance with equal credit opportunity, fair housing and home mortgage disclosure laws. You are not required to provide this information but are encouraged to do so. You may select one or more designations for “Ethnicity” and one or more designations for “Race.” The law provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of this information or on whether you choose to provide it. However, if you choose not to provide the information and you have made this application in person, federal regulations require us to note your ethnicity, sex and race on the basis of visual observation or surname. The law also provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of age or mari tal
status information you provide in this application. If you do not wish to provide some or all of this information, please check below.

The field Ethnicity (check one or more): is required.
The field Sex: is required.
The field Race (check one or more) is required.

Demographic Information: Co-Applicant

The purpose of collecting this information is to help ensure that all applicants are being treated fairly, that the housing needs of communities and neighborhoods are being fulfilled, and to otherwise evaluate our programs and report to our funders. For residential mortgage lending, Federal law requires that we ask applicants for their demographic information (ethnicity, sex and race) in order to monitor our compliance with equal credit opportunity, fair housing and home mortgage disclosure laws. You are not required to provide this information but are encouraged to do so. You may select one or more designations for “Ethnicity” and one or more designations for “Race.” The law provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of this information or on whether you choose to provide it. However, if you choose not to provide the information and you have made this application in person, federal regulations require us to note your ethnicity, sex and race on the basis of visual observation or surname. The law also provides that we may not discriminate on the basis of age or mari tal
status information you provide in this application. If you do not wish to provide some or all of this information, please check below.

Equal Credit Opportunity Act Notice

The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status or age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant's income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that monitors compliance with this law concerning this company is the Federal Trade Commission, with office at Federal Trade Commission, Equal Credit Opportunity, Washington, DC 20580.

You need not disclose income from alimony, child support or separate maintenance payment if you choose not to do so. However, because we operate a Special Purpose Credit Program, we may request and require, in order to determine an applicant’s eligibility for the program and the affordable mortgage amount, information regarding the applicant’s marital status; alimony, child support and separate maintenance income; and the spouse’s financial resources.

Accordingly, if you receive income from these sources and do not provide this information with your application, your application will be considered incomplete, and we will be unable to invite you to participate in the Habitat program.

The field I understand: is required.

Background Check

Habitat for Humanity conducts background checks as part of the application process. All applicants 18 years of age or older, that will live in the home, will be required to complete a background check.

It is important to note that the prescence of a felony conviction does not result in an automatic disqualification from the homeownership program, and that each instance is evaluated on a case by case basis. 

The conviction of a sexual offender offense will result in an automatic disqualification. 

The field Have you or a member of your household been convicted of a felony? is required.
The maximum length for the field If yes, please explain: is 5000 characters.

Application Fee - $18

There is a mandatory $18 application fee to pay for the soft credit check required for your application. Please pay this application fee on the final page of this application after submission. 

Documents

Please bring copies of the following documents on the checklists to our office location at 7 Hopkins St. St. Augustine, FL 32084 within one week of online application submission. Our office hours are 9am to 5pm Monday - Friday. If you are unable to print these items, please visit the office to obtain hard copies.

All items are required for both applicant and co-applicant. “If-Applicable” means only if the information pertains to the applicant or co-applicant. Any missing items will result in a denial from the Habitat program due to an incomplete application. All documentation submitted must be consecutive, up-to-date, and factual. The copies of your documentation should be left in the checklist order for processing.

An eighteen dollar application fee is required for each applicant, therefore if there is a co-applicant the total fee would be thirty six dollars. Application fee can be paid on our website under the "donate" tab by credit/debit card. We can also accept a cashiers check or money order. No cash or personal checks will be accepted. PLEASE NOTE: Your application will not be considered complete until all supporting documentation has been received by the office.

2024 Checklist.docx
Assests and LIabilities Form 2024.pdf
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