You could be our next homeowner!

  • Do you have a strong desire to own your own home?
  • Do you have a stable source of income of at least $29,500?
  • Would you like to partner with North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity to build your own home alongside volunteers?
  • If you would like an application to apply for the Habitat Homeownership program, please complete the Applicant Inquiry form located below.  
  • Our Frequently Asked Questions, outline below, will help answer some of your questions. 

How to apply

Did you scroll down and find the form? If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the office at 218-749-8910.

  • Applicants must live and/or work in North St. Louis County for at least six months.
  • Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident.

For our homeownership program, we define a family as at least one person.

Ability to Pay

Must show an ability to pay, including:

    • Stable family income of a minimum of $29,500 a year where monthly income covers expenses. The minimum income requirements may be more depending on factors such as family size, debt to income ratio, sources of income, etc. 
    • Manageable debt and responsible credit practices.
    • Applicant’s total income does not exceed 60% of the area’s median income, listed below. Some exceptions may apply.
Number In Family Maximum Income 2023 (60% Median Income)
1 $37,980
2 $43,380
3 $48,780
4 $54,180
5 $58,560
6 $62,880
7 $67,200
8 $71,520

Willingness to Partnership

Applicant must show a willingness to partner with Habitat:

    • Initiate and follow through the application process
    • Work a minimum of 200 hours of “sweat equity” per adult family member and recruit an additional 100 hours from friends and family
    • Attend educational homeownership classes
    • Willingness to build community with Habitat and their neighbors

Need for Housing

Must demonstrate a housing need, such as:

    • Many repairs needed,
    • High heating costs,
    • Overcrowding,
    • Unsafe structure,
    • High rent compared to income,
    • Non-accessible to a family member,
    • Current housing does not meet the needs of occupant(s),
    • Unable to get convention financing,
    • and Living in subsidized housing

It can take from 6 months to 2 years for a family to actually move into their house. There are many factors than can affect how quickly your home will be completed, and Habitat makes no guarantees of when construction will be completed.

We build on city lots that have sewer and water available to keep the homes affordable. We try to offer the family a choice of towns, but no guarantee of location can be made.

In addition to the sweat equity commitment, selected families are required to attend Homeownership and Financial Literacy classes. Monthly partner family meetings will help walk you through the process from start to finish. 


To raise funds and recruit volunteers, Habitat for Humanity counts on local publicity through media to raise public awareness. Habitat partner familes are asked to participate in fund-raisers, newspaper and TV coverage, and photographs. This is necessary to maintain community involvement. Every effort is made to make the experience comfortable for the family.


After moving in, families will make monthly mortgage payments on time and keep the house and yard well maintained. Homeowners are completely responsible all maintenance of property and monthly utility bills. Families are encouraged to remain active with Habitat as volunteers.

Yes, just like other homebuyers you will have a mortgage. Habitat for Humanity sells you the house at no profit and with an affordable monthly payment. The length of the mortgage is up to 38 years.

Habitat for Humanity is an equal housing lender, and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, family status, age, or disability.

Payments are based on a family’s income and the appraised value of the home. The value of a Habitat home is determined by a professional appraisal. The first mortgage price is based on a 25% of the family’s income. For the 2022 building season, a 3-bedroom 1,100 square foot home cost is approximately $137,880. Typically, the difference between the appraised price and the first mortgage amount is captured in a second mortgage. This second mortgage has a repayment feature that begins when the first mortgage is paid in full.  The term of the second mortgage is 8 years. As an example, a Habitat mortgage payment could be between $540 and $750 which includes the principal payment, property taxes and insurance.


Home size is determined by family size. Two children of the same sex would share a bedroom. A family with two parents, two girls and one boy would build a 3-bedroom home. A family with two parents, three girls and one boy would build a 4-bedroom home.

Yes, $1,000 towards closing cost is due before closing on the house. 

For each HFH home built or renovated, this affiliate supplies funds to build a corresponding home in Mexico.

North St Louis County Habitat for Humanity is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.

 

Yes. Habitat for Humanity is an equal housing lender, and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, age, or disability.

If you believe you meet North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity’s criteria for family selection, and you are interested in applying, then you should complete the application inquiry form below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at 218-749-8910.

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity is an equal housing lender, and does not discrimiante based on race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, age, or disability.