Become A Homeowner

Basic Requirements

Listed below you will find the basic requirements needed in order to apply for a Habitat for Humanity home in Lee or Hendry counties:

• You must have either lived or worked in Lee or Hendry counties for the past 12 months.
• You must either be a US citizen or a permanent resident alien with your resident alien card.
• You must be married, single or divorced. If you are separated we will accept your application after reconciliation or divorce.
• You must wait three (3) years after a foreclosure or bankruptcy is finalized to apply.
• Your total household income must be a minimum of $16,900.

How Families Are Chosen

A Selection Committee consisting of Lee or Hendry County citizens considers applications based on the following criteria:

I have a need

• I do not own my own home.
• I am currently living in substandard housing which would include any of the following conditions:
  • Home is in poor physical condition
  • Home is overcrowded
  • Rent is subsidized
  • Rent costs more than 30% of my income
• My annual income is at least $15,000 but not more than:
  

  Family Size	Annual Income
  1 person	$31,950
  2 people	$36,500
  3 people	$41,050
  4 people	$45,600
  5 people	$49,250
  6 people	$52,900

I have the ability to pay

• I do not have excessive credit card debt or multiple bills in collection.
• I have not declared bankruptcy or had a foreclosure within the past three years.
• I pay my rent on time.

I am willing to partner with Habitat

• Contribute 250 hours of “sweat equity”
• Attend Habitat homeowner training classes
• Pay $1,200 towards closing costs

Home Examples

View floor plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to complete the program?
You will have 12 months to complete the program, including classes, hours, and paying the $1,200 toward closing costs. The minimum requirement is 25 sweat equity hours per month and $100 paid per month toward closing costs.

When and where are the homeowner classes?
A class schedule will be made available for your convenience, and the classes are held at the Habitat for Humanity office located at 1288 N. Tamiami Trail, N. Ft. Myers.

Will I immediately be able to move into my house when my hours, classes and payment are complete?
Home availability depends on the building schedule. You may have to wait on your home to be built.

Are pets allowed?
Homeowners are allowed to have dogs, although certain breeds of dogs, (Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, etc.); also, wild animals, farm animals, and dangerous reptiles that are considered hazardous are not allowed. The insurance industry will not insure your property if you have any of the pets listed.

I know nothing about building a home, how am I going to be able to help on a job site?
At each job site we have a site supervisor who will instruct you in what needs to be done. Every job is important, even the clean up. You will learn important skills for the upkeep of your home.

Who can help with my sweat equity hours?
The applicant and co-applicant will each be expected to finish 75 hours. The remaining hours may be completed with the help of family and friends. Those that assist you must be 14-years of age or older. Teens must bring a picture ID to verify age. An adult must supervise all children ages 14-17.

What’s Next?

The first step is to submit a Homeownership Interest Form. Click here to fill out the form online.