Trinity Habitat for Humanity is not a traditional mortgage company. Our Habitat families pay a 0%-interest, 30-year mortgage, invest 250 sweat equity hours in place of a down payment, and pay their first year’s insurance premium and taxes.

For the long term stability of our program, we ensure houses are fully funded by sponsors, donors, and in-kind donations prior to families moving in. When Habitat families make their mortgage payments, averaging about $550/month, those payments are cycled back into our programs to help even more families experience the benefits of affordable homeownership.

To qualify for a Habitat home, a family (or individual) must have the following:

1. Need for Shelter
2. Ability to Pay
3. Willingness to Partner

Need for Shelter
To qualify to purchase a Habitat home, potential homebuyers must not currently own a home.

Other examples that show a need:

• Pay more than 30% of your monthly income for housing expenses
• Live in an overcrowded situation,
• Live in a home with structural, electrical and plumbing problems, no heat, etc.)

Ability to Pay
In evaluating a potential homebuyer’s financial situation, consider the following statements.

• Applicants must demonstrate stable and consistent residence (with paying rent) for a minimum of 12 months.
• Applicants will be asked to provide paperwork and references that will verify ability to (a) make house payments of $550-$650 per month, (b) make utility payments, and (c) budget for home maintenance and repair (inside and outside).
• Applicants must have stable and consistent employment for a minimum of 12 months with a maximum $40,000 annual household income.
• Applicants’ credit history will be evaluated to verify that (a) they have no judgments on their credit report, (b) they have no outstanding child support owed, (c) any bankruptcies and charge-offs have been resolved for 3 years, (d) any repossessions and foreclosures have been resolved for 2 years, (e) they have no apartment collections, and (f) they have no delinquent student loans.
• In addition, all applicants must pass OFAC and criminal background checks.

*Borrower and/or Co-Borrower, and any dependents under the age of 18 will be considered in the Family Size. Only Borrower and Co-Borrower’s income will be considered.

Willingness to Partner
Habitat is unique in how we build houses. We do not charge interest nor do we make a profit. We are able to cut our expenses by working with sponsors to provide money to enable us to build each house and then work with volunteers to provide the labor. Of course, our volunteers work under the supervision of our construction staff. In addition, we do not require families to make a down payment on their new home. Most mortgage companies will require a 3%-5% down payment.

The only thing a Habitat homeowner MUST pay prior to taking ownership of their home is the first year’s insurance premium and taxes. With the recent increase in taxes and insurance in the state of Texas, that pre-pay amount is averaging $1,200.

Because we go to great lengths to make homeownership affordable, one of the things we ask of our Habitat families (homebuyers) is that they commit to work 250 hours of sweat equity. The sweat equity allows homebuyers to work alongside sponsors, volunteers, staff and other homebuyers in the building of other homes, getting involved in their new community, as well as education classes to prepare for homeownership.

We ask potential homebuyers to consider the following questions:

• Are you willing to provide the required documentation and information in a timely manner.
• Are you willing to demonstrate willingness to complete 250 hours of sweat equity.

Absolutely!  We would love to have you join us on a build site! A major part of how we are able to build homes affordably is with volunteer labor. You don’t have to have any construction experience, because our friendly construction leaders will teach you everything you need to know. You can come out as an individual and meet new friends or with a group for a meaningful team-building experience. You can learn more and sign up at TrinityHabitat.org/volunteer/build.

Our sponsors have first choice of build days. If your company our organization is interested in sponsorship, you can learn more at TrinityHabitat.org/give/sponsors.

Esther and Valeria’s Habitat home will be built in the Como neighborhood, where Trinity Habitat has already built 57 new homes and plans to build up to 90.

Trinity Habitat has partnered with three neighborhoods in Tarrant County, including Como, because an influx of empowered homeowners revives neighborhoods. In addition to building new Habitat homes, Trinity Habitat identifies homeowners in our partner neighborhoods that we can assist with exterior rehabs. With the combination of our new construction and rehabs, the transformation occurring in these neighborhoods is dramatic, and we invite you to be a part of it as a donor and volunteer!

We partner with companies, faith groups, and other community organizations to build strong families and neighborhoods. We would love for your team to join us!

A Win-Win
Habitat families benefit from your generosity, and your organization can benefit from linking itself to one of the most recognized brands, Habitat for Humanity.

Your sponsorship helps families in need of a quality, affordable home. With long-term financial security, families have more to spend on medicine, child care, education, and other essentials. Your support builds strong families and neighborhoods.

You can learn more by visiting TrinityHabitat.org/give/sponsors or by contacting a Sponsor Relations Manager:

Sandra Houston
Sponsor Relations Manager
Corporations
(817) 926-9219 x127
Sandra.Houston@TrinityHabitat.org

Lauren Calzada
Sponsor Relations Manager
Faith Groups
(817) 926-9219 x124
Lauren.Calzada@TrinityHabitat.org

We actually accept donations 365 days a year. However, September 20 happens to be North Texas Giving Day, which is the Communities Foundation of Texas’ annual 18-hour online giving extravaganza for North Texas nonprofits. North Texas Giving Day’s goal is to help build awareness and support for nonprofits in the North Texas region.

We’ve created our One Day, One Home campaign to coincides with North Texas Giving Day. In addition to the extra promotion surrounding North Texas Giving, there are also two extra benefits: 1) Matching Sponsors and 2) Bonus Funds & Prizes.

Matching Sponsor
Our Matching Sponsors have generously committed matching funds to help other donors’ dollars go further for our special One Day, One Home campaign. Your $25 donation on September 19 will be $50 when matched.

Bonus Funds & Prizes
Thousands of dollars of bonus funds and prizes are up for grabs from the Communities Foundation of Texas on North Texas Giving Day. The more Trinity Habitat raises through the North Texas Giving Day website on September 19, the more we’re eligible to receive. Thank you for making a donation to help increase our bonus funds and prizes!

Since 2009, Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day has pumped more than $180 million, for over 2,500 local nonprofits, into the North Texas Community. In 2017, $39 million was raised through more than 137,000 gifts benefiting 2,723 nonprofits. Trinity Habitat is proud to partner with the Communities Foundation of North Texas for North Texas Giving Day!

Starting September 9, you can follow the links on this webpage to schedule a donation (or make a donation) on the North Texas Giving Day website.

Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your generous financial donation. A donation receipt will be sent to you by the Communities Foundation of Texas. Please be sure to keep a copy of your receipt for tax purposes