Own a Home
How does Habitat for Humanity of Trenton work?
Habitat for Humanity of Trenton is a non-profit organization committed to building quality, affordable housing in partnership with low income families in Trenton. Habitat homes are built mostly by volunteers and funded by donations from the private sector and mortgage repayments from owners of previously constructed homes. Habitat homes are sold for no profit with no-interest mortgages to selected families who partner with Habitat by investing volunteer hours known as "sweat equity". As a guideline we aim for the initial monthly housing payments not to exceed one third of a family's expected monthly income
How are the Partner Families selected?
Applicants are evaluated based on their level of need, willingness to become Habitat Partners, and ability to pay for a no-interest loan, real estate taxes, home insurance, and maintenance expenses.
How does the application process work?
Habitat for Humanity of Trenton schedules “information and orientation” workshops, to which they invite all those who have expressed interest. These workshops provide detail on the selection process and Habitat’s partnering expectations.
Application screening by the Family Selection Committee includes a financial review, a check of credit-history, references, and a personal interview. Successful candidates are asked to accept a home visit by two members of the Committee to learn more about the family's current living situation. The findings of the home visit are reviewed with the entire committee, qualified applicants are recommended to the Board of Habitat. After Board approval, the family is invited to enter a formal "commitment to partnership" with us.
Applicants should anticipate a 12-to-24 month period from initial contact to “moving in”.
Basic eligibility requirements:
• Income of 40-60% of median annual income for Mercer County households of comparable size.
• Residence in Mercer County for at least 1 year
• First time home buyer (no ownership or co-ownership of a home within the last 3 years)
• At least one adult applicant must be a legal permanent resident or citizen of the USA.
Applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Can demonstrate a history of regular income.
• Need for housing - Currently living in inadequate, substandard, overcrowded, unsafe housing conditions, or paying rent too high in relation to monthly income.
• Ability to make monthly mortgage, property tax, insurance payments and to be responsible for maintenance and repairs of the home at occupancy.
• Willingness to partner with Habitat Trenton
Habitat Expectations of Partner Families:
• Partner families fulfill their “sweat equity” commitment of 500 volunteer hours in 12-15 months
• Attend classes on home maintenance, ownership, participate in the Habitat mentoring program for new homeowners and other activities of the Habitat community.
• Partner families honor their commitment to become homeowners by starting monthly payments to Habitat by accumulating funds for closing costs as soon as they become partners.
Selections are made in compliance with the Federal Credit Equal Opportunity Act and on an impartial and non-discriminatory basis. Race, color, national origin, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, age, religion and disability play no part in the choice.
If you have further questions, please feel free to email or call. Best of luck in your housing search
If you are interested in becoming a Habitat partner, contact, Liz Leonard at 609-393-8009 x 221.