Application Process
STEP 1
Interested homeowners must call our office at 415-625-1011 to begin the in-take process. Applicants who meet the basic requirements of the program can register for the next Homebuyer Readiness credit workshop.
This workshop will provide you with information about improving your credit record, and we will run a free credit report for you with your authorization. In the event that your credit record needs improvement, we encourage you to attend our additional Homebuyer Readiness workshops.
STEP 2
If your credit history and payment records are sufficient for the program, we will register you for the next application meeting, which is held monthly at various locations. Here attendees learn about the Habitat homeownership model, requirements for purchasing a home, selection criteria and our selection process. Interested applicants will receive an application packet, which must be completed and mailed with all required documents within 30 days of the meeting date. (PLEASE NOTE: Attendance at an application meeting does not guarantee notification of projects, nor selection as a Habitat homeowner).
Habitat Greater San Francisco carefully reviews completed applications based on first come, first completed, first served basis to determine whether a family fulfills the required criteria. We will send qualified files to an independent underwriter for approval. Applications who are income and credit qualified will be contacted to complete the second part of the the application within two weeks after notification. Applications may not be missing any information; incomplete applications will not undergo final review.
STEP 3
If the completed application fulfills all the criteria, the qualified applicant will be presented to the Family Selection Committee, who will conduct a home visit to complete an evaluation. A final decision regarding approval or denial for purchase is not determined during the home visit.
The Family Selection Committee meets monthly to discuss potential homebuyers and make a decision on whether to approve or deny a family. Applications are matched to homes based on the city preference listed on their application and 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 approved. We do not keep a waiting list. With the various guidelines that come with each new home and location, not every family will be eligible. We will keep your application information active for one year. When a new home becomes available, we will inform all potential applicants in our database. If you are interested in the newly available homes, you just need to fill out an application form to include any changes and send us updated supporting documents. As a prior applicant, we would have most of your information and you could update your file quickly to advance in the consideration process.
If you have any questions, please contact our offices at: 415-625-1011
We reserve the right to make changes to our application process at any time.