Application/Selection Process

Step 1

To start the process, interested homebuyers must call our office to complete the registration process. You may then attend an Application meeting, which are held monthly at our office and various community sites. Registration is required, walk-ins are not allowed. Please call 415-625-1011.

During the meeting, attendees will learn about the Habitat homeownership model, requirements for purchasing a home, selection criteria and the selection process. All interested attendees will be given an application packet. They must then mail the packet with the required documents to our office. Applicants do not have to submit an application for each project.

PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at an information meeting does not guarantee notification of projects, nor selection as a Habitat homebuyer.

Step 2

HGSF will review the application based on first come, first complete basis. HGSF will carefully review the application to determine whether a family fulfills the required criteria including income and credit. HGSF will send qualified files to an independent underwriter for approval and try to match qualified families with a current or an upcoming project.

Step 3

Applicants are matched to Habitat homes based on the City Preference list on their application. HGSF will not always have projects to match with qualified applicants. Therefore, application information will be kept on file for up to a year or until the applicant submits a full application for homeownership. Once an applicant family is determined eligible, the application remains active for one year. Within that year, eligible applicants may or may not be selected to become a Habitat partner family and purchase a home.

Step 4

Applicants who are income and credit qualified will be contacted to complete the full application to purchase one of the project homes. A complete application must be received within two weeks after notification. No missing information will be allowed and incomplete applications will not undergo full review.

Step 5

If the full application fulfills all the criteria, the qualified applicant family will be presented to the Family Selection Committee and they will conduct a home visit.

A final decision regarding approval or denial for purchase is not determined during the home visit. The Family Selection Committee will complete an evaluation after the home visit in preparation for final review.

The Family Selection Committee meets monthly to discuss potential homebuyers and make a decision on whether to approve or deny a family. Applicants are matched to Habitat homes based on the size and location of the available homes compared to the needs of the pool of eligible applicants (i.e. size of family and desired location).

Inevitably, there will be more qualified homebuyers than homes available so not all qualified families will be able to become a Habitat partner family and purchase a home.

If you have any questions, please contact our offices at: 415-625-1011

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