Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C. NGOs
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We believe that everyone deserves a decent place to call “home.” Our work is focused on helping low-income families affected by DC’s housing crisis, which includes single mothers, the elderly, veterans, immigrants, and people of color living primarily in Wards 7 and 8. Through our programs, we are part of the solution to providing safe, stable homes where whole families can thrive.
Homeownership Program
DC Habitat has built or rehabilitated nearly 200 homes since its founding in 1988, with 81 of these homes being completed in the past six years. To purchase a DC Habitat home, partner families enter into 30-year, low interest mortgages with one of our partner organizations and pay no more than 30% of household income on housing, keeping their monthly payments at a fraction of what a comparable rental would cost in DC. Homeowners make a down payment of at least $500 and contribute sweat equity hours. We refer our families to our local nonprofit partners to complete their pre-purchase financial education. Habitat staff provide Post-Purchase Education classes to families once they move into their homes.
To be eligible for our homeownership program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Must currently live in poverty/substandard/over-crowded housing
Must live or work in DC and have citizenship or be a permanent resident alien
Must meet our income requirements by earning between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
Must make a down payment of at least $500
Must have a credit score of 620 or higher
Must be first-time homebuyers
Must be "willing to partner" -- i.e., complete a minimum of 200–300 sweat equity hours (depending on family size), volunteering on the construction site of their future home or the homes of Habitat neighbors and completing a minimum of 30 hours of financial literacy classes.
Home Repair Program
DC Habitat’s Home Repair Program is comprised of our work as a partner with the Safe at Home program. The Safe at Home program serves low-income seniors and adults with disabilities by removing threats to health and safety and removing barriers to accessibility. Many older adults do not have the money to make modifications that would allow them to safely remain in their homes and maintain their independence, and SAH provides no cost repairs to address this issue. Examples of repairs include grab bar, ramp, and stair lift installation. Our home repair program is vital to DC’s affordable housing efforts because it preserves the existing stock of affordable housing and keeps long-term residents in their homes and neighborhoods. To qualify for our Home Repair program, families must make less than 80% of AMI and reside in DC.
Post-Purchase Education Program
Led by DC Habitat staff, the Post-Purchase Education Program provides 16 additional hours of education focusing specifically on the needs of low-income homeowners, including loss mitigation, foreclosure prevention, money management, credit counseling, home maintenance and repair, education resources for dependents, and community engagement.
Our Post-Purchase Education program is open to anyone, but we specifically conduct outreach to families making less than 80% AMI.
Homeownership Program
DC Habitat has built or rehabilitated nearly 200 homes since its founding in 1988, with 81 of these homes being completed in the past six years. To purchase a DC Habitat home, partner families enter into 30-year, low interest mortgages with one of our partner organizations and pay no more than 30% of household income on housing, keeping their monthly payments at a fraction of what a comparable rental would cost in DC. Homeowners make a down payment of at least $500 and contribute sweat equity hours. We refer our families to our local nonprofit partners to complete their pre-purchase financial education. Habitat staff provide Post-Purchase Education classes to families once they move into their homes.
To be eligible for our homeownership program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Must currently live in poverty/substandard/over-crowded housing
Must live or work in DC and have citizenship or be a permanent resident alien
Must meet our income requirements by earning between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income (AMI)
Must make a down payment of at least $500
Must have a credit score of 620 or higher
Must be first-time homebuyers
Must be "willing to partner" -- i.e., complete a minimum of 200–300 sweat equity hours (depending on family size), volunteering on the construction site of their future home or the homes of Habitat neighbors and completing a minimum of 30 hours of financial literacy classes.
Home Repair Program
DC Habitat’s Home Repair Program is comprised of our work as a partner with the Safe at Home program. The Safe at Home program serves low-income seniors and adults with disabilities by removing threats to health and safety and removing barriers to accessibility. Many older adults do not have the money to make modifications that would allow them to safely remain in their homes and maintain their independence, and SAH provides no cost repairs to address this issue. Examples of repairs include grab bar, ramp, and stair lift installation. Our home repair program is vital to DC’s affordable housing efforts because it preserves the existing stock of affordable housing and keeps long-term residents in their homes and neighborhoods. To qualify for our Home Repair program, families must make less than 80% of AMI and reside in DC.
Post-Purchase Education Program
Led by DC Habitat staff, the Post-Purchase Education Program provides 16 additional hours of education focusing specifically on the needs of low-income homeowners, including loss mitigation, foreclosure prevention, money management, credit counseling, home maintenance and repair, education resources for dependents, and community engagement.
Our Post-Purchase Education program is open to anyone, but we specifically conduct outreach to families making less than 80% AMI.