Habitat for Humanity - North Shore

We will be accepting applications within the next few months and are accepting inquiries about the application process. Anyone interested should e-mail or call (781) 598-0310 and leave your name, address and phone number in order to receive more information about applying.

If you are interested in applying during our next selection cycle, you may read the selection criteria below to understand how the process works and ensure that you are qualified.

Habitat for Humanity homeownership provides secure affordable housing to low-income individuals who have been living in substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity believes homeownership is a vital step in creating self-esteem and empowerment in both families and neighborhoods, and is the most basic way to break successive generations of poverty.

Eligibility Requirements to Become a Habitat Homeowner
In order to become a homeowner through our program, you must meet these initial criteria:

You must be a resident of or be employed within Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott or Topsfield for at least 12 months consecutively. If you do not meet this requirement, you can search the Habitat International website for the local affiliate in your area. (www.habitat.org)
You must be a legal resident of the United States.
Your total yearly income must fall within our income guidelines, which are adjusted for family size. For instance, the range for a family of 4 would be $33,600 - $42,050. Note: Income includes wages, SS, disability, SSI, food stamps, TANF and consistent child support.
You must have a reasonably good credit history.
You must have a need for housing.
(ie: your current housing is unaffordable, unsafe, overcrowded or you have structural problems)
You must partner with Habitat, working 350-400 "sweat equity" hours, helping to build your home and other families’ homes. Single-parent families must do 350 hours; two-parent families must do 400 hours. In return, we provide a no-profit mortgage with no interest for 20-30 years.

We do not offer immediate housing solutions. If you need transitional or temporary housing, please contact your local housing authority, Salvation Army or other community housing programs.

Homeowners are selected by our volunteer Family Selection Committee on the basis of three criteria:

I. NEED - We will rate your level of need compared to that of other financially qualified applicants. Need may include any of the following: overcrowding, paying too high a percentage of your income on housing, structural problems (i.e. leaky roof, lead paint, mold, rodent or insect infestation, plumbing problems), or neighborhood safety concerns.

II. ABILITY TO PAY – Partner families must earn adequate income to repay the mortgage. The total gross household income (the amount before taxes or other deductions) must fall within the posted range below. Income includes wages, SS, disability, SSI, food stamps, TANF and child support.

III. WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER - Applicants must demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of the "sweat equity" requirement. If selected, families must accumulate 350-400 hours working on others' homes as well as their own, with the help of family and friends. Single-parent families must complete a minimum of 350 hours while dual-parent families must complete a minimum of 400 hours. A portion of the sweat equity hours will be homeowner education and/or financial responsibility classes on topics such as credit/budget, lawn maintenance and preparing a will.