How Do I Qualify for an Otsego County Habitat for Humanity House? 

Otsego County Habitat for Humanity (OCHFH) builds simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with those who need a better place to live, who would like to purchase their home but are unable to qualify for a traditional home mortgage. You should be ready to accept the responsibility of being a homeowner.

To be eligible to apply for a Habitat home, you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent legal resident and cannot already own a home. If you can answer yes to those three questions, you may qualify to own a Habitat home. If it any point you feel that you would not qualify for a Habitat home we may be able to refer you to another program. Please call us at (989) 732-6070. 

Please note that when building is completed and an occupancy permit issued, homes are sold NOT given to the partner family. The partner family will pay a monthly mortgage payment that includes taxes and insurance for 20-30 years.

Habitat families are selected based on the criteria listed below. 

1. Ability to Pay (The partner family must meet all of these conditions):
     ⌂ The Debt-To-Income ratio is 30% / 43% (this is to protect the home buyer so that they will have income to afford
          other common living expenses after meeting the monthly mortgage obligation). 
     ⌂  Possess solid credit history with satisfactory payment of debts.
     ⌂  Be able to meet the terms of grant funding, and be able to place a deposit of $500.00 to $1,000.00 on the house.                                        
 2. Need (The partner family must meet at least one condition under "Need"):
     ⌂  You were unable to obtain adequate housing through conventional means of a bank or government loan.
     ⌂  Your present housing is unsafe, in disrepair, or is not adaptable for disabled persons.
     ⌂  You cannot already own your home and have no permanent housing and either live in transient housing, with
            family, friends or in a shelter.

​3. Willingness To Partner (The partner family must meet all these conditions):
     ⌂   Complete an application package.
     ⌂    Attend all required meetings, workshops and classes.
     ⌂    All families selected for the program will complete at least 250 hours of volunteer "Sweat Equity" per adult. 
     ⌂   Accept available properties and home design plans. 

​4. Residency
   ⌂ You must be a U.S. Citizen.
   ⌂ You must want to live in Otsego County for at least 10 years.
  Application for a Habitat for Humanity Home in Otsego County