Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.

To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction,and celebratetogether when the keys are handed over.

By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance, upkeep of homes, and much more.

Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.

How to qualify for a Habitat home

Habitat homeowners must be active participants in building a better home and future for themselves and their families. Every Habitat home is an investment. For us, it is one answer to a critical need, and we believe that stronger homes will create stronger communities.

• Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing. Applicants must be a resident of DeKalb County for at least one year prior to beginning a home build, and have a minimum income of $31,000 (or more depending on family size). DeKalb County Habitat follows income guidelines set for DeKalb County.
• Homeowner applicants must attend an orientation session to receive further information.
• Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includesperforming “sweat equity,” or working 8 hours every Saturday for 4 to 6 months during the time that your home is being built.

• Homeowners must also be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.

Can anyone apply to be a Habitat homeowner?

Yes.

Habitat follows a nondiscriminatory policy of homebuyer selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor.

How do you apply for a Habitat house? How long is the Habitat for Humanity home application process?

It takes a while!

1. The homeowner selection process requires that you attend an informational meeting, typically held on the fall of each year.  
2. After attending this meeting, you will receive an application form, which must be submitted, with various other documents, within two weeks.
3. Once we receive the application, we review it and notify you if we have any questions.
4. You will be notified whether or not you are selected to become a Habitat partner family, but it could take as long as two months before a decision is made.
5. Typically it takes 10-12 months from the time a partner family is selected until they can move into a new home.

Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County works with local families who struggle to obtain affordable housing.

Address: 308 W. State St. Suite 302, Sycamore, Ill  60178
Phone: (815) 991-5341
Email: hfhdekalbcounty@gmail.com