We are currently not accepting applications for our homeownership program.
Habitat for Humanity of Grand County homes are sold at little or no profit with an affordable mortgage with our partner USDA RD 502 loan program to qualified homebuyers. Homes are built to accommodate families of all types and sizes.
The typical Habitat for Humanity of Grand County home is sold with an affordable mortgage that can be paid back with a term of up to 38 years. Mortgage lengths vary depending on the household income of the homebuyer. At the time of sale, monthly mortgage payments are no more than 30% of the household’s gross monthly income. With each mortgage payment, Habitat homeowners are directly investing in their family’s future.
The selection of families to purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity of Grand County is done by a Family Selection Committee in a way that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or national origin. Habitat Grand County does not discriminate if all or part of an applicant’s income is derived from public assistance programs.
After watching our Preparation for Homeownership video, email the password and we will send you the application for potential homeownership with Habitat for Humanity of Grand Count at buyers@habitatgrandcounty.org.
How Habitat Works
Eligibility Criteria
NEED Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and live in housing conditions that are not adequate for your family’s needs.
ABILITY TO PAY Have sufficient income to be able to pay a monthly mortgage payment, utilities, and up to $2,000 in closing costs. Habitat for Humanity of Grand County can consider applicants with good credit scores and verifiable income up to 80% of Grand County’s median income. (Approximately $4,700 per month pretax for a family of two, or $5,875 for a family of four. Income need not be job-related, but may include disability, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, alimony, and child-support.) A Habitat partnership is a viable option for cops, firefighters, veterans, public employees, service workers, retail and grocery workers, nurses, teachers, or other hard-working families in the county.
WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER Commit 200 hours of “sweat equity” volunteer time (for each household member over the age of 18) to help Habitat volunteers on local home-building projects, or help with fundraising events and mailings.
RESIDENCY Must have lived or worked in Grand County for at least 12 of the past 36 months.
Application Process
INQUIRE Contact us anytime to get on the list for the next available home.
ORIENTATION MEETING Attend an online or in-person orientation meeting explaining the application process to determine if you fit the guidelines.
COMPLETE THE APPLICATIONBY DEADLINE To fill out the digital form of the application, simply click on the link athttps://www.habitatgrandcounty.org/a-home-of-your-own/. You can fill it out from your computer, then print it out and mail it to Executive Director Lisa M. Cooper at Habitat for Humanity of Grand County, PO Box 969, Granby, CO 80446, or simply email the file tolcooper@habitatgrandcounty.org.
APPLICATION REVIEW Homeowner Services Committee will review, gather additional information (including a possible home visit), and make recommendations to the board. Applicants will be notified of acceptance or denial.
The selection of homeowners who will purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity of Grand County will bed one by the Homeowner Selection Committee in away that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or because all or part of the applicant’s income is derived from public assistance programs. Deselection is a last resort and can only occur in the following instances:
1. FRAUD Misrepresentation on application or during selection process.
2. INABILITY TO PAY Applicant’s in come decreases to below lower in come guidelines.
3. FAILURE TO PARTNER Applicant fails to adhere to agreement in Letter of Acceptance.
4. SEX OFFENDER Presence on a sexual offender database.
FAIRHOUSING, NONDISCRIMINATION CLAUSE
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which the are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Homeownership FAQ
How are families selected?
Individuals are selected for Habitat’s homeownership program based on their ability to demonstrate that they meet three main criteria – an ability to repay a mortgage, a willingness to partner with our organization, and a current need for housing. In order to determine if an individual meets these criteria, an application must be completed and submitted to Habitat during an open application cycle.
When are applications accepted?
Applications are typically accepted once a year. If more home slots become available throughout the year, additional application cycles may be opened. To stay updated on application cycles.
What if there are more applicants than homes available?
If applicants can demonstrate that they meet all criteria, but there are more applicants than home slots available, applicants are prioritized based on their need for housing. If an applicant is denied because there are not enough homes available, the applicant is welcome to apply in the future. Habitat cannot keep a wait list.
If I apply and my application is denied, can I apply at a future date?
Applicants are welcome to apply as many times as they would like. If an application is denied, the applicant will be offered guidance on what items could be corrected for a stronger application in the future.
How long does it take to purchase a Habitat home?
The process of building and purchasing a Habitat home takes anywhere from twelve to eighteen months from the time that an applicant is approved to participate in the program. For this reason, Habitat for Humanity of Grand County cannot address immediate or emergency housing concerns.
What is the cost of a Habitat home?
Habitat sells houses for market value, which cannot be determined until the house is complete. Home prices vary depending on location and housing market conditions.
Regardless of the sales price of the house, Habitat is committed to keeping housing payments affordable. Habitat homeowners’ mortgage payments will be capped at 30% of their household gross monthly income at the time of sale. This monthly amount will include the mortgage payment, homeowners’ insurance, property taxes and HOA dues (if applicable).
What is the length of a Habitat mortgage in partnership with USDA RD 502 loan program?
USDA RD 502 mortgages will be paid back between thirty-three and thirty-eight years. The length of the loan is dependent the household’s income at the time of sale however never more than 30% of their household gross monthly income at the time of sale.
Do applicants get to choose where they live?
We are currently building in Hot Sulphur Springs.
Do applicants get to choose the design of their home?
Habitat is not a custom home builder. A standard floor plan is used in each of our neighborhoods.
How does Habitat determine what size home a household will receive?
A bedroom policy is used to determine the house size received by each household. The policy states that no more than two individuals will share a room, children of opposite genders will not share a room and children more than five years apart in age will not share a room. If children are the same gender and less than five years apart, they will share a room. Homes are not built with extra bedrooms. They are built to accommodate current family size.
Can the home be sold?
Habitat homes can be sold. Like any home, there are times when it is more advantageous and times when it is less advantageous to sell the home. Typically, the longer a homeowner stays in the Habitat home, the better the outcome of selling the home.
Habitat homes will be sold with a Right to Repurchase and Shared Appreciation Agreement. This means that the owner must offer Habitat the right to repurchase the home before it can be sold on the open market. A Shared Appreciation agreement gives Habitat shared equity in the appreciated value of the home. This agreement allows Habitat to be a faithful steward of the time and money donated to ensure that Habitat homes stay affordable. Additionally, a Deed Restriction will be recorded against the property to ensure that the affordability continues to the next homeowner.
Can Habitat homes be rented?
Habitat homes cannot be rented. The owner must be the primary occupant for the life of the loan.
How are Habitat homes kept affordable?
Habitat for Humanity of Grand County uses a variety of methods to ensure that all homes are kept affordable for home buyers. Habitat works diligently to create partnerships with corporations, faith entities, government, and individuals to raise funds for each home built. Habitat uses a combination of staff and volunteer labor to help construct the home. Habitat seeks grant funding to help subsidize mortgage costs.
Can the home be sold?
Habitat homes can be sold. Like any home, there are times when it is more advantageous and times when it is less advantageous to sell the home. Typically, the longer a homeowner stays in the Habitat home, the better the outcome of selling the home.
Habitat homes will be sold with a Right to Repurchase and Shared Appreciation Agreement. This means that the owner must offer Habitat the right to repurchase the home before it can be sold on the open market. A Shared Appreciation agreement gives Habitat shared equity in the appreciated value of the home. This agreement allows Habitat to be a faithful steward of the time and money donated to ensure that Habitat homes stay affordable. Additionally, a Deed Restriction will be recorded against the property to ensure that the affordability continues to the next homeowner.
Can Habitat homes be rented?
Habitat homes cannot be rented. The owner must be the primary occupant for the life of the loan.
How are Habitat homes kept affordable?
Habitat for Humanity of Grand County uses a variety of methods to ensure that all homes are kept affordable for home buyers. Habitat works diligently to create partnerships with corporations, faith entities, government, and individuals to raise funds for each home built. Habitat uses a combination of staff and volunteer labor to help construct the home. Habitat seeks grant funding to help subsidize mortgage costs.
Can Habitat homes be rented?
Habitat homes cannot be rented. The owner must be the primary occupant for the life of the loan.
How are Habitat homes kept affordable?
Habitat for Humanity of Grand County uses a variety of methods to ensure that all homes are kept affordable for home buyers. Habitat works diligently to create partnerships with corporations, faith entities, government, and individuals to raise funds for each home built. Habitat uses a combination of staff and volunteer labor to help construct the home. Habitat seeks grant funding to help subsidize mortgage costs.