Homeownership

qualifications

Need for Housing
  • Living in overcrowded housing
  • Living in substandard housing
  • Being a resident of subsidized housing
  • Paying more than 30% of gross income on rent
  • Does not own a home at time of application
Willingness to Partner
  • Household willing to perform minimum of 250 Sweat Equity hours 
  • Have lived or worked in York County for the last year
  • Committed to a drug-free community and no serious criminal history
  • Completion of homebuyer education course
  • Completion of financial literacy course
  • Save for closing costs and other related expenses
  • Participate in Habitat for Humanity of York County events
Ability to Pay
  • Income: must be stable and fall between 30-60% of HUD Area Median Income (links to PDF). *Opportunities may be limited based on availability in the 60-80% range
  • Budget: Mortgage payments will be no more than 30% of the gross monthly income of the applicant(s).  Total debt to income ratio must not exceed 40%. 
  • Delinquent Debt: All delinquent debt must be paid off before application approval.
  • Outstanding Debt: Total debt to income ratio must not exceed 40%.
  • Credit Score:  Habitat for Humanity of York County does not require a minimum credit score for approval.
  • Bankruptcy: Must wait 7 years after being discharged and reestablishing good credit to apply.

getting started

For more information, please attend an orientation session. 

see application process

Application Steps

  1. 1 Financial Capability Workshop
  2. 2 Application Orientation
  3. 3 Submit an Application
  4. 4 Income & Credit Report
  5. 5 Background Check
  6. 6 Sign Documentation

Step 01

Financial Capability Workshop

Individuals interested in applying for the Homebuyer Program must attend a Financial Capability Workshop first.

Step 02

Application Orientation

Individuals who’ve completed the workshops will be invited to attend the Application Orientations and will receive the application packet required to move forward in the program.

Step 03

Submit an Application

Submit a completed application within 60 days of attending an information session

  1. Completed application with all required documentation
  2. Two recent months of paystubs (and/or proof of any other stable income)
  3. $25 application fee.

Step 04

Income & Credit Report

Applicant income is calculated and credit report pulled to assess debt and collections.
Applicants will receive a letter moving them to Step 4 or an invitation to schedule a file review with Habitat staff.

Step 05

Background Check

Applicant criminal background, employment history and rental history are verified.

Step 06

Sign Documentation

Applicants that are approved for the Homebuyer-in-Process training must sign a Homebuyer-in-Process agreement.

Program Applicants

Program applications can be submitted in person to the drop box located inside the Rock Hill ReStore door  Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. They can also be submitted by mail to

Habitat for Humanity of York County
Attn: Homeowner Services
P.O. Box 4255,
Rock Hill, SC 29732

Financial Capability Workshops

View More

Stay tuned for an announcement on the next event!

Questions

It generally takes about 1.5 to 2 years to complete the entire process, from the date of the application to the house closing.

If applicants do not meet Habitat for Humanity of York County criteria for homeownership and are not selected into the program, they will receive a letter with a description of the reason and a list of HUD approved Financial Counselors or a referral to another qualified organization. Applicants that are not approved are welcome to schedule with our staff to discuss their application in more detail. 

There is no limit to how many times an individual can apply for a Habitat home, so we encourage applicants who do not make it the first or second time to reapply!

Absolutely. For questions or concerns regarding the application process, please call 803.328.1728 x3 or email services@yorkcountyhabitat.org.