Are you interested in owning your own home?

Habitat Home Ownership

Building a house is an expensive business. Costs include land, materials and services. With the help of Habitat volunteers, many of the labour costs are greatly reduced. New materials are often donated and many professional trades people do not charge or greatly discount their services.

People you never see on a build will be helping families get into their own homes. Some of these people are fundraisers while others volunteer at the ReStore, on committees, in the office or at public functions where they promote Habitat for Humanity to churches, businesses, community organizations and service clubs.

Habitat for Humanity is a global, non-profit organization. It works with low income families to build simple, decent, affordable single and multi-unit houses that are sold to Habitat families with no down payment and a no-interest mortgage.

Habitat homes are not given away. Partner Families dedicate 500 hours of volunteer service to the organization and must understand the importance of partnership.

Mortgage Information

When a family moves into their house, regular monthly payments must be made on the mortgage. Habitat for Humanity Cornwall & The Counties holds the mortgage and offers it to the homeowners at no interest.

Mortgage payments will never be more than 30% of the family’s pre-tax income. Property taxes are included in the mortgage payment.

Mortgage payments are re-evaluated and adjusted annually or as required.

Who Can Apply?

We welcome your application if:

• You have children that will benefit from a simple, decent, affordable home
• Your family has a steady income, but is not able to obtain a conventional mortgage.
• Your total family income, before deductions, is more than $29,250 but less than the Low Income Measure thresholds as required by Revenue Canada. (see chart below)
• Your present housing does not meet your family’s needs (for example, overcrowding, structural defects, dangerous conditions in the home or in the neighbourhood, etc.)
• You are willing to commit to and complete at least 500 volunteer hours (for example, building, office work, ReStore shifts, participation in our partner family orientation modules)
• Adding a mortgage to your present debt would not put your family in jeopardy
• You are a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, you have lived in Stormont, Dundas or Glengarry for at least two years, you are prepared to be a good neighbour and a responsible member of the community.
• You are willing to accept all the responsibilities of home ownership including utilities, maintenance, and other common homeowner expenses
• You are able to provide references from police, employers, banks and people outside your family.
• You are managing your debt in a responsible way. In the case of a prior bankruptcy, it must have been discharged at least two years prior to your application.

Based on Statistics Canada 2023 Low Income Measure thresholds; minimum earned income $29,250

How Can I Apply?

1. Meet one of our staff members or volunteers at a community event
   • Complete the pre-application package you receive at the event
   • Drop off your pre-application at the Habitat for Humanity Office – 1400 Vincent Massey Drive, Cornwall, ON
2. Download the printable form to submit via mail, email or in person
   • Pre-Application
3. Complete the online pre-application form (see below)

What Happens Next?

1. You will be notified of the outcome of your pre-application for a Habitat home.
2. If eligible, an Application for Housing will be sent to you. If you need assistance completing the application, help is available at the Habitat for Humanity office by calling 613-938-0413 ext. 202 or emailing familyservices@habitatcornwall.org. You can drop off your application at this location.
3. When your application is complete, your file will be referred to the Family Selection Committee.
4. If all criteria are met, a member of the Family Selection Committee will contact you to set up an in-home interview.
5. After the first interview, the Family Selection Committee will meet to discuss the family applicants and decide upon a second interview.
6. The Family Selection Committee will make its recommendation(s) to the Board of Directors, who will make the final decision about selecting from the eligible families.

Note: The selection process can take from three to six months.

What will you gain from this experience?

• You will have the satisfaction of buying a home of your own.
• You will have an interest-free mortgage which costs much less than a traditional mortgage.
• You will develop maintenance skills learned through your volunteer time.
• You will have pride in helping other families by contributing volunteer time on other homes during/or after your build.
• You will get a sense of community from working with other volunteers.
• Your family will benefit from many of the opportunities home ownership provides and learn by your example about working hard to capture a dream.
• You will build equity in your home that may help to fund post-secondary education for your children or a better retirement for you.

What does Habitat expect of Partner Families?

• You will complete 500 volunteer hours building your home or other Habitat homes before moving into your house.
• You will help publicize your house before and after it is built. Publicity is important because it helps bring in new volunteers and money for more Habitat houses so more families can be helped.
• You will complete education modules that will help you prepare for the responsibilities of home ownership.
• You will maintain positive relationships with volunteers and donors, community members and your neighbours as a Habitat homeowner.
• You will make regular monthly payments on your mortgage.
• You will disclose your income to Habitat on an annual basis or upon request during the year. Mortgage payments are adjusted yearly per line 150 of your income tax return and other income sources.
• You will maintain your home in good repair.