Affordable Homeownership Program

Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity offers a hand-up to families in need of safe, decent and affordable housing. We keep homes affordable through the use of volunteer labor and affordable mortgages, allowing us to serve first-time homeowners who wouldn’t typically qualify for conventional financing. Qualified applicants become full partners in the work of building or rehabilitating their future homes with Habitat sponsors, volunteers and other community stakeholders!

Steps to Homeownership

  • Applicant must have a demonstrated need for housing. Need is established based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the condition of current housing, space considerations and cost burden.
  • Applicant must have sufficient, stable and verifiable household income to support monthly mortgage payments. Buyers must be credit-worthy and not have any outstanding judgments. Stable length of employment is defined as a minimum of one year in applicant’s current job location. *See chart below for current income ranges for Linn and Benton Counties.
  • Applicant must demonstrate a willingness to partner. Partnership activity begins after approval of the application by our Board of Directors. Buyers must complete 300-400 hours of sweat equity and participate in a series of classes ranging in topic from managing a monthly budget to maintaining a new home.

 

 2023 Income Guidelines for Residents of Linn County

Family Size:Least Amount of Income (30% of Median)Most Amount of Income (60% of Median)
1$19,900$39,780
2$22,750$45,420
3$25,600$51,120
4$28,400$56,760
5$30,700$61,320
6$32,950$65,880
7$35,250$70,440
8$37,500$74,940
9$39,750$79,450
10$42,050$84,000

 

 2023 Income Guidelines for Residents of Benton County

Family Size:Least Amount of Income (30% of Median)Most Amount of Income (60% of Median)
1$20,050$40,080
2$22,900$45,780
3$25,750$51,840
4$28,600$57,180
5$30,900$61,800
6$33,200$66,360
7$35,500$70,920
8$37,800$75,480

Applicants should participate in one of these sessions before Cedar Valley Habitat reviews their application. Habitat staff and volunteers will review a variety of program guidelines and expectations, and provide prospective homeowners with an opportunity to ask questions. A reservation is required. Please call us at 319.366.4485 to reserve your seat.

CVHFH Homeowner Information Sessions:

  • Second Tuesday of each month
  • 350 6th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Contact us

Once you have reviewed the application requirements and attended a monthly orientation, you are encouraged to apply for home ownership through Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity. Please complete each of the documents below. Your inclusion of all necessary supporting documents, as detailed in the application materials, and the $7 non-refundable application fee will ensure that your application is processed in a timely fashion.

Pending a successful initial review, your application will be forwarded to our volunteer Family Services Committee and, ultimately, considered for approval through our Board of Directors. Applicants are advised to remain patient, as this this application process takes time.

Successful applicants enter into full partnership with Cedar Valley Habitat and begin working toward home ownership right away. Before closing on a home, families are required to have completed their sweat equity and classes, made a $1,000 down payment and pre-paid for one year’s worth of homeowners insurance. All tenets of Habitat partnership and financial fitness must be maintained throughout the process in order to proceed to closing.

Required Application Forms

If you do not see a link to the application listed, please call our office at 319-366-4485 to request an application. We are currently holding our homebuyers information sessions on the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at our downtown office.

Notice: The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age; because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has exercised in good faith any right under the Consumer Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 30580

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, national origin, age, marital status, or sources of income.