Homeownership Program

Your Dream of Owning a Home is Possible

Imagine the feeling of warm sunlight streaming through your kitchen windows, hearing kids laughing in the grass, the scent of fresh coffee filling the air, as you step onto your own porch, feeling a deep sense of pride and comfort in the home you’ve worked so hard to make your own.

There’s No Place Like Home

Looking to become a homeowner? When you partner with Habitat, you build a quality and affordable place to call home – and you create a stable and secure future for yourself and your family. Through our Home Journey Program, we offer financial education, fair mortgage loans and community resources to help hardworking people buy homes and build a lasting foundation for future generations.

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Habitat Homeowners

Homeowners come to Habitat from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds.  Do any of these sound familiar?

    • Living in an overcrowded space
    • Living in unkept public housing?
    • Spending a third of your income on rent?

YOU could qualify for the Habitat Home Journey Program.

We work with families of all kinds, including:

  • Individuals
  • Married couples–with or without children
  • Non-married couples
  • Single parents
  • Multi-generational families
  • Immigrants
  • Empty nesters

Your family deserves a better future and a place to thrive. We believe a safe home and surrounding neighborhood can help you  achieve all of your goals.

What are the Requirements to be Eligible for a Habitat Home?

Eligibility Information

At Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, we periodically update our eligibility requirements to reflect current housing market conditions. Please be aware that these requirements can change at any time.

Note: These requirements apply specifically to our Home Journey Program. This is not an application for a loan, nor does it guarantee a loan or a Habitat house.

Here are the criteria to be eligible for the Home Journey Program:

  • You have resided in the Omaha Metro area for the past 12 months.
  • You are a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the last three years.
  • You have at least six months of continuous employment, or two years if self-employed.
  • You are a U.S. Citizen or hold permanent resident status.
  • You meet the minimum monthly gross income guidelines (the total amount you earn before taxes and deductions).

WHAT IT TAKES/THE INVESTMENT

Attend Home Journey classes to receive education about becoming ready for a monthly mortgage
Attest to ability to afford the property taxes, insurance and other costs beyond your mortgage
Spend time working on your own Habitat home and/or others (we call this sweat equity hours)
Meet with Habitat staff (is there a specific intent or more info to provide here?)

Where We Build

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha works closely with residents and industry professionals to design thriving neighborhoods in five counties:

  • Douglas County: North Omaha, South Omaha, Elkhorn and other zip codes
  • Sarpy County: Bellevue and other zip codes
  • Washington County: Blair
  • Burt County: Tekamah, Craig, Oakland, Decatur and Lyons
  • Cass County
  • We have four major housing developments currently underway.
Learn More About our Available Homes

homeowner spotlight

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha offers more than a home.

 

Blue is right where she wants to be. She is in her new, white, black-trimmed five-bedroom home with her husband and two children. For her, it’s more than a new address. The path to owning your home may be simpler than you realize.

Read More Habitat Homeowner Stories

 

A mom and dad radiate joy on their porch, reading with their young child and holding their baby, celebrating the heartwarming start in their first Habitat for Humanity home.

Unsure of where to begin?

Still not sure if you qualify for Habitat homeownership?

Your journey is personal, but all of the families we work with start with the Home Journey Program to ensure they are financially ready and prepared for the next step.

She said her hard work reflects her favorite Ralph Waldo Emerson passage: “A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Now, Chyla has the legacy she wants for her children. “They know what it is to be a homeowner, something that will soon be theirs. A safe haven built with love and dreams.”

- Chyla

FAQ: Owning a Home through Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

What are the basic requirements to qualify for a Habitat Omaha home?

Beyond the eligibility requirements listed above, Habitat home owners have a demonstrated need for housing, the ability to pay a mortgage and a willingness to partner with us. This includes completing a set number of “sweat equity” hours by volunteering with Habitat or working on your own home build. Habitat requires a stable job history, with the specific income guidelines listed above

Where does Habitat Omaha build houses?

We currently build homes in Douglas County, Sarpy County and Washington County – from North Omaha to Bellevue to Elkhorn to Blair.

What kind of houses does Habitat build?

We build a variety of homes, including single-family homes, townhomes and duplexes. All of our houses are built with quality materials and designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable. We work closely with each family to ensure their new home meets their needs and preferences. Floor plans are available for prospective homeowners to view and choose from as part of the process.

How do I know if I’m within the income guidelines?

Our income guidelines are based on the median income for the Omaha area, adjusted for your family size. Generally, if your household income is between 30% and 80% of the average median income (AMI), you may qualify. We review all applicants’ financial situations individually, so don’t hesitate to reach out for a more specific assessment.

What is "sweat equity" and why is it important in the home journey?

“Sweat equity” refers to the time and effort future homeowners invest in building their own homes or helping to build other Habitat homes. This could involve unskilled or skilled construction work, attending homeowner education classes, or volunteering at our ReStore. It’s a key part of our program because it fosters a sense of ownership and community among our homeowners.

What makes Habitat homeownership different from obtaining a regular mortgage loan?

Our Home Journey program prepares families with education and other tools to become mortgage-ready and set financial goals and plans. Habitat Omaha offers its own affordable mortgages, with interest rates that are significantly lower than the market rate, making homeownership more accessible for more people.

The Habitat Home Journey program includes down payment assistance, and the mortgage payments contributed by homeowners are reinvested into the community to help build more Habitat houses. We support homeowners from start to finish.

How long does the process take from application to moving in?

The entire process can take anywhere from 12 to 24 months. This timeline includes application review, financial education, sweat equity completion and the building of your home. We understand it’s a lengthy process, but it ensures you’re well-prepared for successful homeownership–and that the home can remain with your family well into the future.

What support does Habitat provide after moving in?

Prior to move-in, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha provides support through homeowner education programs, financial coaching and community engagement opportunities. After you’re handed the keys to your new home, Habitat will provide community resources and referrals to other local organizations based upon your family’s needs.

Habitat hosts “Rock the Block” events to do yard clean up and other neighborhood improvement projects that bring together volunteers and homeowners throughout the year.

Your Habitat home may also be eligible for qualifying home repairs in the future as part of our Home Repair program.

We want to make sure you feel confident and supported as you transition to homeownership.

How can I start my application process?

If you meet eligibility requirements, fill out the pre-application form below. A team member will evaluate your information within 60 days. You will hear from us via email or phone with additional questions and explain the rest of the process and next steps.

Can I get involved with Habitat even if I don’t need a home?

Absolutely! We welcome volunteers and donors who want to help us build homes and communities. Whether you want to swing a hammer, help in our ReStore, or make a financial contribution, there are many ways to get involved.

 

For more information or to address specific questions, please contact our office directly at homeownership@habitatomaha.org.
We’re here to help you on your journey to homeownership. Get started today. You got this!

Become a Homeowner
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