Home Ownership
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over.
By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of home ownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.
Habitat’s path to home ownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity is an equal opportunity housing provider. Habitat considers applicants without regard to race, religious preference, gender, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation or national origin.
Primary Qualifications
The primary qualifications for the Habitat for Humanity program are:
1.) Need for adequate shelter
2.) Ability to pay
3.) Willingness to partner
Family Selection Guidelines
The following information further defines the criteria we use to determine the families with whom we will partner. Please read it carefully to decide whether you and your family have an interest in our ministry AND to see if you meet our general guidelines.
Location
Family must live, work, or have some specific connection to our service area which includes Newberg, Dayton, Dundee, Sherwood and St. Paul.
Need for Adequate Shelter
1.) Current shelter has problems with heating, water, electricity, bathroom(s), kitchen, structure, environmental hazards, etc.
2.) Overcrowded conditions determined by number of persons, age, and sex of family members.
3.) Unable to obtain a conventional or government assisted loan.
4.) Excessive amount of income spent on housing.
5.) Special needs of a family member that cannot be met in current living circumstances.
Ability to Pay
1.) Family has a reliable source of income.
2.) Family demonstrates the financial resources and ability to pay the monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) on a regular basis. Home ownership must not threaten household income or the ability to continue payments of monthly household expenses and/or current debt.
3.) Family has a history of responsible payment of debt.
4.) Family income must fall between 25% and 60% of the median income for the area. This is for total family income. Exceptions may be made for exceptional need.
5.) The combined total of the monthly mortgage payment and all monthly debt payments should not be greater than 36% of the family’s gross monthly income. Exceptions in severe case of need.
Willingness to Partner
1.) Family must be willing and able to contribute a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer labor, or “sweat equity”, to build your home, other Habitat homes, or perform other Habitat work.
2.) Whenever classes are made available, family is willing to attend our family support classes, which include financial counseling, home maintenance and repair.
3.) Family is willing to receive home visits and interviews from family selection committee members and media representatives for publicity purposes.
4.) As Habitat home owners, each family recognizes its own important and ongoing role, and, within its own reasonable capacity, is therefore willing to be a visible advocate for Habitat for Humanity, helping others achieve home ownership by volunteering their time and continuing the circle of “a hand up”.
Family Income Guidelines
Income Level For Habitat Candidate Family: 25-60% of median income.
| Year 2023 Guidelines | ||
| Size of Household | Annual Income | Monthly Income |
| One | $19,750 – $47,400 | $1,646 – $3,950 |
| Two | $22,583 – $54,180 | $1,882 – $4,515 |
| Three | $25,471 – $60,960 | $2,123 – $5,080 |
| Four | $28,208 – $67,680 | $2,351 – $5,640 |
| Five | $30,500 – $73,140 | $2,542 – $6,095 |
| Six | $32,750- $78,540 | $2,729 – $6,545 |
| Seven | $35,000 – $83,940 | $2,917 – $6,995 |
| Eight | $37,250 – $89,340 | $3,104 – $7,445 |
*Median income for 2023: $106,948
Your family income should be above the first figures and below the second figures in the columns above in order for you to qualify.
*Note: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro OR-WA MSA of which Yamhill County is part.
(Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development)
How to Apply
Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity does not take applications year round. When we have a house coming available, we will open a selection process. During a selection round, interested parties will be invited to attend an informational meeting and fill out an application at that time.
We do, however, take Pre-Application Questionnaires at any time. This short document gives us a “snap shot” of your family’s situation as well as gives us your contact information. When we plan to open a selection round, all families who filed Pre-Application Questionnaires with us since our last selection process will be notified. Just be sure to keep your contact information up to date with our office.
We can mail or email the questionnaire or you can pick one up at our office. Alternately, click the link below to download a copy for yourself.
Completed questionnaires can be mailed to our PO box, dropped off in person, placed in our secure lock box located outside our office or faxed to 503-554-1999.
Alternatively you may email your pre-application HERE.
Be sure to include a copy of your most recent tax return with your questionnaire.
Please don’t hesitate to call our office at 503-537-9938 with any questions.