Your Dream of
Homeownership Is Achievable
You must meet the following requirements to qualify for our program. Please note that the income brackets have recently changed.
You must qualify for a housing need with one or more of the following;
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overcrowding in your home
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unsafe or unsanitary conditions
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rent is too high
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You must be a US Citizen or a legal permanent resident
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You must have lived or worked in St. Lucie or Okeechobee county for at least the past 12 consecutive months
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You must qualify as a low to moderate-income household (Your income must fall between the minimum and maximum to qualify)
2024
Number of People In Household
Minimum
Income​
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$44,940
$51,380
$57,820
$64,190
$69,370
$74,480
$79,660
$84,770
Maximum
Income
$52,350
$58,700
$66,050
$73,350
$79,250
$85,100
$91,000
$96,850
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You must authorize a credit and background check for each household member who is 18 years or older and provide a non-refundable fee for the credit and background check. We look at the current debt owed and your credit history to determine eligibility. Also required may be a verification or statement from your current and previous landlords. You must also provide proof of income, current bank statements, and current tax returns with W-2s. If self-employed, you must provide current tax returns with 1099s with a 2-year history of self-employment, plus a detailed profit-loss statement for 6 months.
If Approved And Selected for A St. Lucie & Okeechobee Habitat Home:
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You MUST attend required homeownership and financial education classes
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You MUST work 300 hours of sweat equity per household
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You MUST pay a $750 processing fee
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You MUST cover the closing costs when the home is sold to you (approximately $5,000)
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St. Lucie Habitat for Humanity homes are affordable to you at or below 30% of your gross monthly income including taxes and insurance. The house payments will be used by St. Lucie Habitat to help build more homes for other families in the area.
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Habitat Homes
Buy A Home Program
We like to help families help themselves. Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing. Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Sweat equity can also include taking homeownership classes or performing volunteer work in a Habitat ReStore or in a project.
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Habitat for Humanity of St. Lucie & Okeechobee is now a Community Land Trust (CLT). A CLT provides access to homeownership for people priced out of the traditional real estate market. The benefits of a CLT homeownership include lower costs to enter homeownership, greater housing security than renting, stable affordable monthly payments enabling savings for other life goals, security from eviction, opportunity to build equity, home and ground lease can be willed to dependents, and ongoing support from the CLT.
Hands-On
We offer critical home repairs to homeowners so they can continue to live in safe, decent homes for years to come.
Eligibility
Families are selected based on income, need, and willingness to partner.
Affordable Loans
Loans are made to the homeowner to cover the cost of the work. Payments are recycled to help serve others. Monthly or deferred payments will be required.
Resources
Volunteers & donated materials are used when possible.
Homeowner Selection & Support Committee (HSSC)
Selects Homeowners Based On 3 Criteria:
The Applicant's Level of Need
The Applicant's Willingness To Partner With Habitat
The Applicant's Ability To Repay A Mortgage Through An Affordable Mortgage
The Homeowner Selection and Support Committee (HSSC) assists Habitat for Humanity (HFH) in the critical function of selecting qualified applicants to become HFH homeowners. Members support future homeowners through the processes of application through homeownership. Committee members attend application process meetings, groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, and other community events to support applicants and HIPS.
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As part of the support function of the committee, individual members serve as “advisors” to specific HIPS as assigned. When serving in this capacity, the member establishes regular contacts with the HIP and serves as a liaison between the HIP and HFH. These relationships may extend beyond the day homeowners move into their new homes.