"I thank God for what Harford Habitat has shown me: TRUE LOVE!"

                                                             ~ homeowner Alberto Barnes

 Thank you for your interest in Harford Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program in Harford County.

 Homeownership through Harford Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program. Owning a home remains a cornerstone of the American Dream. But more than that, home ownership is essential to stable families and healthy communities. Harford Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to making the dream of owning a home a reality for low income families throughout Harford County.

 Once selected, “partner families” and Habitat volunteers work side-by-side to build their home. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, and are financed with affordable, no interest loans.  In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—“sweat equity”—into building their house and the houses of others.

 How are qualified families selected?

 Harford Habitat’s partner families are carefully screened to qualify for a Habitat home. Families must meet four requirements to be eligible to apply for a home.

1.  HOUSING NEED

Qualified applicants that demonstrate the greatest need for a Habitat house will be selected.

Examples of need include: structural problems, inadequate living space, safety, and stability

Need is determined by home visits.

2.  ABILITY TO PAY

To qualify financially, the income of an applicant cannot be below the lowest income listed or exceed the highest income listed.

Current employment, bank accounts, credit reports and landlord references will be checked to verify the applicant(s) ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment.  The mortgage payment will be used to build future Harford Habitat for Humanity homes.

3.  WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER

Timeliness, understanding, and eagerness are necessary to partner with Harford Habitat for Humanity.

Must complete the required Sweat Equity hours as follows:

-Single-Applicant family 250 total sweat equity hours required

-Two-Applicant family 500 total sweat equity hours required       

Sweat Equity is the actual hands-on physical involvement of partner families.  Sweat equity hours are not

monetary contributions toward their home, but required volunteer hours.

Examples of Sweat Equity : Construction of Habitat homes, classes in homeowner education and

budgeting, office assistance, preparing or serving food to volunteers, school grades of applicants and 

children, self-development, community development, etc.

4.  RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

Applicant(s) must live in Baltimore, Harford or Cecil County for at least one year prior to their application and be a permanent legal resident of the United States OR a United States citizen.

If interested, please contact the Harford Habitat office to receive information to apply. 

Harford Habitat for Humanity

205 Hays Street

Bel Air, MD 21014-0608

Phone: 410-638-4434

Fax: 410-420-8843

Website: www.harfordhabitat.org

Harford Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate against any applicant because of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

 Effective 11-3-09