Saginaw Habitat For Humanity

From Partner Family to Homeowner

Sweat Equity: The Down Payment

Habitat is not a give-away program. Homeowners, as partner families, put hundreds of hours of their own labor, known as sweat-equity, into building their houses.

The "down payment" on a Habitat house includes fulfillment of sweat-equity requirements and payment of closing costs, which generally are between $1,100 and $1,300. Each Habitat for Humanity partner family is required to complete 400 hours (250 for a single-adult household) of sweat-equity working on their home and maybe those of other partner families.

Habitat Homes Are Financed Through a No-Interest Mortgage

Partner families purchase their house at no profit to Habitat, financed with an affordable, no-interest loan. The family's mortgage payments are recycled into a fund that is used to build more houses for more families in need.

New Homeowners Have Family Relations Coordinator to Ask Questions

In Habitat for Humanity, building relationships and communities is as important as building homes. One key reason Habitat has been so successful is the nurturing that is provided to partner families, even after construction is complete. Each partner family works with a family relations coordinator throughout the construction process and for a full year after the home is complete. This gives the new homeowners someone to call when they have questions about home maintenance or home ownership. By working together as partners, we all become aware of our common heritage as God's children.

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All applicants are considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, height, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, veterans, weight nor as state or federal law otherwise prohibits.
Updated May 12, 2003 WebMaster Dale Stephan