HOMEOWNERSHIP

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

With the support of community partners, donors, and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley constructs new homes alongside Habitat Partner Families. Our homeownership program is designed to assist low-income, first-time hardworking homebuyers achieve the strength and stability of homeownership.

Habitat homes are sold to partner families at no profit. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest sweat equity hours building their future Habitat home and the homes of other Habitat Partner Families.

The pre-approval selection of homeowners who will purchase houses from Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley is done by the Board of Directors in a way that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or national origin.

We are not currently accepting applications.

To learn when our next application period opens, sign-up for our emails, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check in on our website and ReStore often.

Applicants are applying for a home loan through Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley, Glacier Bank and the Montana Board of Housing. Eligibility is based upon several qualifying factors and approval by the Board of Directors.

Listed below is the criteria required to determine eligibility of all applicants.  

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

YOU MUST SUBMIT ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN ORDER FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE.

  1. Proof of residency in Flathead County for at least 12 months:

    • A copy of your Montana issued driver’s license OR identification card (for criminal background check and loan processing)

  2.  Proof of Income:

    • Last three months most recent paystubs or income statements for all parties in the household from employment OR a copy of disability/social security/retirement statement

    • A copy of recent benefits statements or child support paperwork, including Social Security, SSI, TANF, SNAP (food stamps), child support, alimony, etc.

    • Tax returns from the last 2 years

    • IRS Form 4506-T: Request for Transcript of Tax Return

      • This form will help you access your previous tax records from the IRS if you don’t currently have them in your possession

  3. Housing:

    • Rental agreement with move in date, rent paid per month, and landlord’s information

    • If you pay another person rent or utilities, that person MUST write their rent (utilities if included) and how much you pay them per month towards that amount. (Receipts, cashier’s check stub, etc. showing how much you pay that person)

  4. Bills and Debts:

    • Last 3 months of banking statements of all accounts for all parties in the household (checking, savings, retirement, etc.)

    • Last 3 months of debt statements (credit cards, auto loans, student debt, etc.) for all parties in the household

    • Last 3 months of utility statements (electric, gas, phone, etc.)

  5. Documents for Completion-Following documents will be available when our application period opens:

    • Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley’s 2024 Homeownership Application

    • Disclosures requiring completion: (Complete one for each adult in the household if applicable)

      • Authorization for Employment Verification

      • Authorization for Public Assistance Verification

      • Authorization for Deposit Account Verification

      • Request for Landlord Reference

    • Disclosures requiring completion and signatures:

      • Authorization to Release Financial Information

      • Authorization to Release Criminal History, Credit Report, & Sex Offender Registry Information

      • Equal Credit Opportunity Act Notice

      • E-Sign Disclosure (Complete one for each adult in the household)

SELECTION CRITERIA

Income Criteria:

Household income must fall within the ranges below, 30% and 80% of Area Median Income, based on HUD 2024 Flathead County.

Household Size Income Range

One Person $18,550 to $49,500

Two People $21,200 to $56,600

Three People $22,700 to $63,650

Four People $31,200 to $70,700

Five People $36,580 to $76,400

Six People $41,960 to $82,050

Need for better housing:

Overcrowded space

Unsafe living conditions

Temporary housing

Rent burdened (more than 30% of income going towards rent)

Not currently a homeowner

Ability to pay affordable mortgage:

Verifiable steady income

No outstanding judgements or bankruptcy claims

Verifiable, reasonably good credit

Willing to save for closing costs

Financial ability to make long-term mortgage payments to include property taxes, property insurance, and HOA dues, if applicable.

Willingness to partner with Habitat:

Must be a resident of Flathead County for one year.

Must be willing to meet ‘Sweat Equity’ requirements.

Must be willing to take a first time homebuyer and financial education course.

Home must be occupied by the owner, not rented or sublet.

What is sweat equity? Sweat equity is required for all program participants. These are volunteer hours that partner families participate in, typically at the Habitat ReStore or on build sites. Accommodations are made for those with disabilities or other needs.