Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh

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How to become a Habitat Homeowner

(Please contact us if you would like to be informed about the next homeownership orientation to receive an application.)

Please read the following information regarding becoming a Habitat homeowner.

Selection Criteria

The selection of families or individuals to become partner families with Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh, Inc., is based on three criteria:

The need for adequate housing;
The ability to pay; and
The willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity.

NEED FOR ADEQUATE HOUSING: Families must be in need of decent, affordable housing due to one or more of the following:

Sub-standard living conditions
Health and/or safety issues
Over-crowding
Housing cost in relation to gross income
Current housing does not meet physical needs of family member
Subsidized housing

ATTENDANCE AT A FAMILY SELECTION ORIENTATION SESSION: Attendance at an orientation session is mandatory for families wishing to submit an application. These sessions are generally scheduled in the early spring months and will be widely publicized in advance.

ABILITY TO PAY: Applicants must be able to show a steady source of income and financial responsibility. Habitat for Humanity of Oshkosh uses 30-50 percent of the Oshkosh/Neenah/Appleton median income level as provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a qualification to become a Habitat homeowner. (The actual income limits are based on the number of persons living in the household.)

Applicants must also have less than a 30 percent debt-to-income ratio to ensure they are not financially stressed.

WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER: The timely submittal of a completed application is the initial factor in evaluating a family's willingness to partner. Applications not received by the date and time specified in the family selection orientation session will not be considered.

Applicants must show visible evidence of concern for proper maintenance of their present living quarters.

Applicants must express a willingness to participate in programs to develop and utilize skills in home maintenance and home improvements.
Applicants must agree to meet sweat equity requirements outlined in the Sweat Equity Policy.

500 hours for two-adult families/ 250 hours for one-adult families.
100 percent of hours must be completed before occupying the home.
30 percent of hours may be put in by immediate family members (or friends if pre-approved).
Sweat equity hours begin to accumulate after the application is turned in. All applicants must complete four hours of sweat equity before they can be recommended to the Board of Directors for approval.

A request for a reduction of hours may be made in the event a partner family has a situation that makes the completion of hours difficult. The Family Support Committee and Family Partner assigned to the family must make a request and seek approval from the Board of Directors.

Please note: Unless special exceptions are made, family size will not exceed the capacity of the house (as per Habitat guidelines). If the applicant or household’s occupancy violates any federal, state or local regulation, the application will be denied. No applicant will be rejected for any reason prohibited by federal, state or local regulations that apply to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity will not discriminate and selection will not be affected by race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Families that do not meet Habitat's eligibility requirements may be provided with referrals for technical assistance if needed, and will be encouraged to re-submit an application at a future date.

One of the most vital elements of the Habitat ministry is the partnership between new homeowners and the local Habitat affiliate. The most important connection between partner families and Habitat is sweat equity.

Sweat equity refers to the actual hands-on physical involvement of partner families. Sweat equity hours are in no way part of or in place of any down payment or monetary contribution toward the home or the affiliate. The contribution of this labor shall be without payment of any wages or fiscal reimbursement even if the family, for whatever reason, forfeits eligibility to purchase a home from Habitat. Sweat equity is designed to meet three important goals:

Sweat Equity Builds Partnership The goal of sweat equity is to provide opportunities for meaningful interaction among partner families, affiliate representatives and Habitat volunteers. Habitat for Humanity is not only about building homes; our mission extends to uplifting families and building community. The best way for partner families and volunteers to get to know one another is to work side-by-side.
Sweat Equity Builds a Sense of Pride Habitat for Humanity is not a charity or a give-away program. We offer a hand up rather than a handout. Habitat for Humanity works with families in need to build their own homes and a brighter future.
Sweat Equity Builds Skills and Knowledge The sweat-equity program is designed to offer new homeowners a wide variety of opportunities to gain skills and knowledge that will help them successfully adapt to their new home. On the building site, partner family members will gain a real understanding of the construction of their own home and maintenance issues they will face after occupancy.

Sweat Equity Guidelines

250 Hours for a One-Adult Family

Your requirements are:

Initial 4 hours on other Habitat homes required before acceptance
Minimum 125 hours on own home
Minimum 20 hours on other Habitat homes
The FISC Power of Money workshop - 10 hours
Homeowner’s Education (through ADVOCAP) - 2 hours
Family Services Coordinator’s Orientation meeting - 3 hours
Mortgage Training - 1 hour
Remaining hours

Approximately 85 hours of the sweat equity requirement can be done in the following ways:
Maximum 25 hours of office or approved miscellaneous work
Maximum 75 hours of immediate family (or friends if approved) helping on your construction site
Unlimited hours working more days on your own site or other Habitat homes
Count the hours that someone baby-sits the kids while you are on the construction site (max. 50 hours)

500 Hours for Two-Adult Families

Your requirements are:

Initial 4 hours each on other Habitat homes required before acceptance
Minimum 250 hours on own home
Minimum 40 hours on other Habitat homes The FISC Power of Money workshop - 20 hours
Homeowner’s Education (through ADVOCAP) - 4 hours
Family Services Coordinator’s Orientation meeting - 6 hours
Mortgage Training - 2 hours

Remaining hours
Approximately 170 hours can be done in the following ways:

Maximum 25 hours of office or approved miscellaneous work
Maximum 150 hours of immediate family (or friends if approved) helping on your construction site
Unlimited hours working more days on your own site or other Habitat homes
Count the hours that someone baby-sits the kids while you are on the construction site (max. 50 hours)

Please note: A minimum of four consecutive hours must be spent at the site when volunteering at a Habitat build unless prior approval is granted by the Family Support Committee or Family Partner, or unforeseen circumstances such as weather or materials issues arise.

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