HOMEOWNERSHIP
Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with qualifying partner families and our community. We then sell the homes to partnering families at no profit with affordable, income-based mortgages.​​
Are You Ready to Create a Safe, Decent, Affordable Home for Your Family in Partnership with Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity and Your Community?
Is your current space overpriced, overcrowded or in disrepair?
NEED FOR ADEQAUTE HOUSING
Are you willing to help Habitat volunteers build your new home?
WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH HABITAT
Do you have a steady income, but not enough to qualify for a traditional mortgage?
ABILITY TO PAY AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE
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IT IS NOT A HANDOUT – IT IS A HAND UP
SWEAT EQUITY
"Sweat equity" is when a partner family actively takes part in building their own home and becomes part of the Habitat family. It may include activities such as clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, feeding volunteers or other approved activities. Working sweat equity hours in their own homes helps families begin the transition to ownership and family members gain a real understanding of the construction and maintenance of their home. A partner family must be willing to complete a substantial number of sweat equity hours before they can purchase the home.
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​​​AFFORDABILITY
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Are you able to make a cash down payment, monthly mortgage payments, and monthly escrow payments to cover insurance and property taxes?
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​Could you if your mortgage payment was no more than 1/3 of your income?
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Could you if you only needed a small down payment?​​​
REQUIREMENTS
AREA RESIDENT
Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity serves the southern part of St. Louis County, Lake County and Carlton County, Minnesota. Partner families must have lived or worked in the service area for at least one year before applying.
INCOME LIMITS
We serve families who have a household income between 30-80% of the area median income (AMI). These guidelines are adjusted each year and are based on numbers defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). We build in both urban and rural areas so the numbers vary by location as well. Qualifying maximum incomes for a home is determined by family size and type of financing. Household income includes all forms of income: employment, pensions, public assistance of cash, social security, or disability.
AREA RESIDENT
Buying a home is a big deal.
2025 INCOME LIMITS FOR DULUTH​
1 person
​$53,350
2 people
$60,950
3 people
$68,550
4 people
$76,150
5 people
$82,250
6 people
$88,350
HOW TO START
Partner families are selected at the beginning of each building year.
We currently build a new home every 12-18 months. If you want to put your name on the list to be notified the next time we start a build, email or call us with your information and we will send an email when the next application window opens.
Phone
218-576-9360
APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1. Tell us you are interested and wait to be notified that a new build is being started.
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Step 2. When you are notified that a new build is being started, schedule a telephone interview. When we receive your interest information, our team will contact you to schedule a telephone interview. During the interview we will explain to you the Habitat Partner Family program and answer your questions. We will discuss your current housing need, your financial and family situation and the commitment required to meet the responsibilities of being a Habitat Partner Family.
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Step 3. After the interview, if you are still interested, you will be asked to complete the more comprehensive application form that will be sent to you. The comprehensive application will ask about your family and your finances. This application will require supporting documentation and must be submitted by a specific date.
Step 4. Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity will review the completed applications it receives by the due date and make its selection of a partner family.
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Selection as a partner family is not a guarantee of the home. It takes about a year to complete the program and for the home to be completed. When the home is completed, the partner family will need to update its financial information to qualify for a Habitat mortgage. A partner family’s mortgage payment will be no more than 1/3 of their monthly income.
Habitat is a homeownership program. Our homes provide families with financial stability and financial opportunity by offering affordable monthly payments with a low interest mortgage. It is expected that families who enter the program are looking for long-term homeownership. These processes and restrictions have been created to protect Habitat from individuals who are only interested in buying an affordable home to quickly sell it to make a profit.
Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate against any person because
of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
