Homeownership Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a Habitat Waterloo Region application form?

Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region screens applicants very carefully, to ensure families can afford, are ready for, and can manage the commitment of owning a home within a condominium complex.  The application process is thorough, and will take several months.  The first step is to complete an eligibility questionnaire.  This questionnaire is used to determine if your family meets our minimum requirements.  

Once submitted you will receive an email from Habitat Waterloo Region letting you know about our next steps, or if you did not qualify.  

What is the Habitat Waterloo Region application process?  

Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region screens applicants very carefully, to ensure families can afford, are ready for, and can manage the commitment of owning a home within a condominium complex.  The application process is thorough, and will take several months.   

1. If your family meets the minimum requirements, you will receive an email from Habitat Waterloo Region, and a Preliminary Application is provided.
2. If your family’s Preliminary Application meets our demographic requirements, and Income Thresholds your family is invited to attend an Information Session.  At the Information Session you are introduced to Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region, our history, our processes, we will outline what we build, how we build, our mortgage model, and our expectations.  After this Information Session you will be asked if you and your family would like to continue with the process of becoming a Habitat Future Homeowner. At a set date, an Application for Homeownership package will be provided to each family that would like to continue with the process.
3. Submit your Application for Homeownership package by the established due date.
4. If your family’s Application for Homeownership continues to meet the established criteria your family is invited to attend a second Information Session.  This second Information Session you will once again introduce Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region and our processes, we will outline what we build, how we build, our mortgage model, and our expectations.  After this second Information Session you will be asked if you and your family would like to continue with the process of becoming a Habitat Future Homeowner.
5.  If your family would like to continue with the process, an Interview with your family is conducted to assess your family’s Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage, your Willingness to Partner with Habitat, and your Need for Affordable Housing
6. Staff, along with the Homeowner Services Committee rejects, defers or accepts your application. If staff along with the Homeowner Services Committee accepts your application a recommendation is made to our lending partner.
7. A financial package is created, and you meet with our lending partner to obtain mortgage confirmation.  
8. The Chief Executive Officer of Habitat Waterloo Region then examines the recommendation and either rejects, defers or accepts your family to become a Qualified Future Homeowner.
9. Your family will be notified in writing that you have been approved as a Qualified Future Homeowner.

Why didn’t I qualify?

There are a number of reasons why your family did not qualify to become a Habitat Future Homeowner. At every step in the process, if your application is deferred or rejected you will receive this information in writing, and an explanation will be provided.

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

How long does the process take?

The average process time from completing the eligibility questionnaire to having your application approved by Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region is 3-6 months.

When are Habitat homes ready for move-in?

Before Habitat Future Homeowners can move into their home the home needs to be built and ready for occupancy, and your 500 volunteer hours needs to completed.

What are Income Thresholds? What is household income?

Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region has established a clear income thresholds. Families – regardless of family size – must have a TOTAL household income between $60,780 and $75,618. These income bands are based on census data for our area, and will be revised annually. We try to establish income thresholds that set our families up for success.

Household income is the combined gross (before tax) income of all members of the household + half of the child benefits.

Here is an example of a household income: Mary earns $37,000 a year as social service worker. Jack earns $27,000 working in finance, and they receive Child Benefits of $9,000 a year. Their gross household income would be $68,500 ($37,000 + $27,000 + $4,500). This household would meet our income thresholds.

Why do I have to have a child?

The strength, stability, and self-reliance that owning an affordable home provides will have the greatest impact on households with children. The stability that affordable homeownership provides is an opportunity for children to be healthier, to do better in school, and to reach their full potential. Focusing our limited capacity to build homes on families with children helps this generation, and the next.