Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity

Habitat is not a give away program. All program families repay an average 30 year mortgage. What makes Habitat affordable is its INTEREST-FREE mortgage.

There are 3 basic criteria to qualify for a Habitat house:

1. You are currently living in substandard housing
For instance: 3 or more people are sharing a bedroom, the building is unsafe, your monthly utility bills are unusually high, your building is infested with pests or rodents, or you are currently living at someone else's home.

2. You have the willingness to partner with Habitat
This means that you are willing to commit 350 hours of your time to "sweat equity" (unpaid labor invested toward homeownership).

3. Your ability to pay
Your recurring monthly debt should not exceed 12% of your monthly income. Recurring debt includes car payments, credit card payments, personal loans and student loans. It does not include utility bills. You must be able to repay a zero-interest mortgage loan based on the cost of the home. Your income must meet our guidelines and be verified with copies of pay stubs or statements and income tax returns. Examples of income are wages including tips, disability benefits, child support, public assistance including food stamps and unemployment benefits. You must include ALL family income.

Current 2008 Income Guidelines (subject to change)
Typical Habitat program participants earn between 30 to 50% of Allegheny County’s median income of $60,000 in 2008
Household Size	30% of Area’s Median Income	50% of Area’s Median Income
Household Size	Extremely Low Income	Very Low Income
One	12,600	21,000
Two	14,400	24,000
Three	16,200	27,000
Four	18,000	30,000
Five	19,450	32,400
Six	20,900	34,800
Seven	22,300	37,200
Eight	23,750	39,600

These numbers are guidelines based on HUD’s 2008 housing income guidelines for Pittsburgh’s Metropolitan Statistical Area (Median income = $60,000) and are subject to change. Please call the Habitat office for updates @ 412-466-6710. EXAMPLE: If there are three persons in your household with a combined income of $27,000 per year, you are considered very low income and may qualify.

NOTE: If your income is below or near the minimum, it may be very difficult for you to make the mortgage payments. If your income is close to or over the maximum, it is very possible that you could qualify for a mortgage under the "First-time Buyers" program at your local bank or through another program.

CLICK HERE FOR GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION HANDOUT

CLICK HERE FOR A DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL HABITAT HOUSE

If you are interested in becoming a homeowner and would like a packet of information sent to you, please call (412) 466-6710.

Habitat for Humanity is not a short-term solution to housing problems. Since we rely on volunteers to plan and construct homes, the process of obtaining a Habitat home can range from months to years. If you have an immediate housing need, please contact the United Way Housing referral hot line at 412-255-1155.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. 3/08/08

pittsburghhabitat.com