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learn about how you could apply to become a Habitat homebuyer

Franklin Hampshire Habitat builds homes in Western Massachusetts, with the help of dedicated volunteers and future homeowners. Being a Habitat homebuyer offers the chance to help build and learn about what goes on behind the walls of your own home (no prior construction experience necessary!) and own a home with an affordable mortgage.

Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity housing lender.

current opportunities

There are no currently available homeownership opportunities. Check this page for future opportunities, and join our notification list to be alerted when they are available.

general Habitat homeownership information

Qualified Habitat homebuyers are…

  • In need of better housing: Potential homebuyers may be dealing with poorly made, unhealthy, or inadequate housing, unaffordable rent, homes inaccessible for their physical abilities, or other problems with their current living situations. Individuals also qualify if their income is insufficient to purchase a market-rate home in the area.

  • Willing to partner with Habitat: Habitat homebuyers put in 250 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build their home and the homes of others in the program. Modifications to sweat equity requirements are made for those with disabilities.

  • Able to pay an affordable mortgage: Families buy their homes with an affordable mortgage. Their payments cycle back into the program to help build more affordable homes.

Homebuyer application FAQ

The application process for homebuyers generally looks like the following:

  1. Attend an information session: these sessions describe the future homes being built and the application process, and are specific to each project. Dates are announced when a new application cycle begins, which is generally a few months before construction begins on the homes. Join our notification list to be alerted when a new application is available.
  2. Submit an application with supporting documentation: see below for more information on specific documentation needed
  3. Application review: all applications received prior to the application deadline are reviewed by Franklin Hampshire Habitat. You will be notified if additional information is needed to complete your application.
  4. Home visit: home visits are conducted (in person or virtually) to assess housing need, discuss the build, and to answer any questions applicants may have about Habitat. A final decision regarding approval or denial of an application is not determined during the home visit.
  5. Housing lottery: all eligible applicants are notified and entered into a public lottery through which the future homebuyers are chosen. Final approval is given by Franklin Hampshire Habitat’s Board of Directors.

Inevitably, there will be more qualified homebuyers than homes available, so not all eligible families will be able to purchase a home from Habitat. Please check out our other resources for affordable homeownership in Hampshire and Franklin Counties, and make sure to join our notification list to be alerted about future opportunities with Habitat.

You can also learn more about the application process by watching an information session from a previous build.

In order to apply for a Habitat home, all applicants will need to provide the following:

  • A completed application (specific to each build)
  • Copies of tax returns and W2s from the three most recent years
  • Income documentation from employment (pay stubs) or self-employment (1099’s or other supporting documentation)
  • Copies of recent award letters, court orders, etc. to document regular income, child support, social security, veteran’s benefits, transitional assistance or other sources of income for you or other household members
  • Documentation of assets including three most recent bank statements for all accounts (checking, savings, retirement, investments, etc.)

This list may not include all requirements or list all the information Habitat will need to determine your eligibility. It is designed as an overview of what you may need to collect before applying.

Once homebuyers are selected, the Habitat homeownership program takes (on average) between 12 and 18 months before you can buy a home. A specific home purchase date (closing date) can not be guaranteed at the beginning of construction, so some flexibility is needed.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, you will be notified via the address provided on your application. The reason for denial will be explained in the letter and you can reach out to Franklin Hampshire Habitat staff to ask questions. You will also receive information about other resources to prepare you for homeownership moving forward. If your information and/or the eligibility criteria changes in the future, you may reapply for future Habitat projects.

There is no limit to how many times an individual can apply for a Habitat home, so we encourage applicants who are not selected to reapply!

Equal opportunity statement

Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity housing lender. Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity will not to discriminate in the selection of applicants on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, ancestry, children, familial status, genetic information, marital status, public assistance recipient status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran/military status, or any other basis prohibited by law, and such a statement must also be included in the application materials. Further, persons with disabilities are entitled to request a reasonable accommodation in rules, policies, practices, or services, or to request a reasonable modification in the housing, when such accommodations or modifications may be necessary.

First-time homebuyer definition

from 42 U.S.C. § 12704(14)

(14) The term “first-time homebuyer” means an individual and his or her spouse who have not owned a home during the 3-year period prior to purchase of a home with assistance under subchapter II, except that—

  • (A) any individual who is a displaced homemaker may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this paragraph on the basis that the individual, while a homemaker, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse;
  • (B) any individual who is a single parent may not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this paragraph on the basis that the individual, while married, owned a home with his or her spouse or resided in a home owned by the spouse; and
  • (C) an individual shall not be excluded from consideration as a first-time homebuyer under this paragraph on the basis that the individual owns or owned, as a principal residence during such 3-year period, a dwelling unit whose structure is—
    • (i) not permanently affixed to a permanent foundation in accordance with local or other applicable regulations, or
    • (ii) not in compliance with State, local, or model building codes, or other applicable codes, and cannot be brought into compliance with such codes for less than the cost of constructing a permanent structure.

(13) The term “displaced homemaker” means an individual who—

  • (A) is an adult;
  • (B) has not worked full-time full-year in the labor force for a number of years but has, during such years, worked primarily without remuneration to care for the home and family; and
  • (C) is unemployed or underemployed and is experiencing difficulty in obtaining or upgrading employment.