Become a Habitat Homeowner, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region

What do you need to know about becoming a Habitat Waterloo Region Homeowner?

Minimum Requirements

The following are Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region’s minimum requirements. Families must meet these minimum requirements to start the conversation towards owning a home with us.

Applicants must have at least one child at or under the age of 13
Everyone moving into a Habitat home must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
Applicants and co-applicants must have lived within the Region of Waterloo for at least three years
No bankruptcies – must be discharged at least three years ago
Potential applicants and co-applicants must be first time homebuyers
Total family income before taxes (employment + half the child benefit + any other income) falls between $60,780 - $75,618

Habitat for Humanity WR Family

Beyond the minimum requirements, Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region uses the following three principals to select families to partner with: Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage, the Willingness to Partner with Habitat for Humanity, and the Need for Affordable Housing.

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Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage

Families must demonstrate their ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and qualify with our mortgage partner though the following:

Employment income must fit within our established income bands, and be sufficient to cover the costs of homeownership, and all other financial obligations of the household.
Applicants, and co-applicants will be asked to submit a current credit report to show good standing credit history (in addition to other documents).

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Willingness to Partner with Habitat for Humanity

Each family approved for homeownership through Habitat for Humanity becomes a partner in our work, and as such are asked to help with a variety of initiatives that advance our mission.

Be an ambassador for Habitat Waterloo Region and represent our mission by understanding and agreeing with our model, and speaking about your experience with Habitat at events, through interviews, or in videos to promote our work in the community.
Contribute 500 volunteer hours towards the construction of our homes, and various other Habitat projects and initiatives before move-in.
Commit to Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region’s partnership agreements, mortgage documents, and condominium specifics.
Attend homeowner information workshops.

Need for Affordable Housing

Habitat homeowners are also selected based on their need for better housing.

Families will be considered for a Habitat home if their present housing costs are too high (for example if the basic shelter costs are more than 30% of the total household income).
Families will be considered for a Habitat home if their present housing is inadequate, overcrowded, unsafe, or unhealthy.

Learn More: Shantz Hill

Frequently Asked Questions

Become a Habitat Homeowner