Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County will host two on-campus information sessions on Wednesday, February 12, for employees interested in building a new home through the agency. The meetings will be held at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in Room 127 in the Mason Services Center. Interested employees are welcome to attend either session; the same information will be shared at both meetings. (Click for campus map.)
Notre Dame maintenance technician Joel Gibbs attended an info meeting two years ago. This past August he became the proud owner of a new home on Turnock Street, five blocks south of campus in South Bend’s Northeast Neighborhood. He can walk to work, and his 14-year-old daughter can walk to school.
“We finally have our own space that we can just enjoy,” he said. (Read his story.)
Gibbs’s home sits on one of the lots Notre Dame donated to Habitat to increase access to affordable housing in the city. Habitat still has opportunities to build in the Northeast Neighborhood as well as other South Bend and Mishawaka neighborhoods.
Habitat houses are quality, energy-efficient homes that range in size—between 1,200 to 1,400 square feet—and include three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full basement, and a one-stall garage. Projected mortgage payments will not exceed 30 percent of a family’s gross income.
Applicants are selected based on their demonstrated need for housing, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat and complete the program requirements.
Participating families work alongside volunteers to build their own homes. They also volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and participate in Habitat-sponsored homeownership classes. In doing so, they qualify for down payment assistance and competitive lending terms through Habitat and a local bank.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is an equal housing opportunity lender and nonprofit that offers home ownership opportunities to people of low to moderate income who have been priced out of the housing market due to rising real estate prices and narrow access to lending. If your income falls within the following guidelines, you may be able to qualify:
Family size: 1 person
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $62,300
Family size: 2 people
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $71,250
Family size: 3 people
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $80,125
Family size: 4 people
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $89,000
Family size: 5 people
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $96,125
Family size: 6 people
-
Minimum income: $35,000
-
Maximum income: $103,250
Additionally, applicants are required to:
-
Have not declared bankruptcy in the last four years.
-
Have not lost a home to foreclosure in the last three years.
-
Have paid their monthly bills on time for the past 12 months (including loans, credit cards, rent, etc.).
-
Have had stable income and employment for at least the past 12 months.
-
Be a US citizen or permanent resident.
-
Meet income and credit guidelines.
-
Be willing to complete program requirements, including sweat equity hours and homeowner education classes.
-
Be willing to purchase a home available.
-
Pass criminal history and sex offender background checks.
-
Furnish all required documentation and information, which may vary based on individual circumstances.
Income guidelines are based on the area median income and household size. Those who make slightly more than the stated income guidelines may email homeownership@habitat-for-humanity.org to determine eligibility.
Note: Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County will select program participants based on its qualifying criteria. The opportunity to build with Habitat is not reserved for University of Notre Dame employees, and the University is not offering loan or other home ownership assistance to its employees.
Originally published by at ndworks.nd.edu on February 03, 2025.