All Habitat applicants must be legal residents who have lived or worked in Collier County for at least a year. Those wishing to apply must come in person to the Habitat office in Naples or Immokalee to apply. Habitat partner families are evaluated using three criteria:

Need

1. Anyone living in inadequate housing, in an overcrowded situation, or paying more than 30% of their monthly wages for housing.

Ability to Repay

1. Partner families must meet income eligibility requirements. Habitat uses very low-income guidelines and serves families making 60% or less of median income
   
2. Applicants must have an annual income of at least $15,000.00.
   
3. Applicant’s credit record is reviewed to ensure timely monthly repayment of a no interest mortgage

Ability to Partner

1. Homeowners will be required to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity. These hours include construction of Habitat homes as well as a minimum of 20 hours of educational training.
   • A single homeowner is personally responsible for 150 hours while a couple must work 300 hours. The remaining hours may be contributed by friends, family, and co-workers. (No more than 32 hours may be donated in any one day.)
   • All sweat equity must be completed within a year.
     
2. Families are also evaluated on their potential to be a good neighbor and community member including ability to live within and participate in a Homeowner’s Association.

Applicant(s) must provide the following documentation:

1. Social Security card for all family members
2. Photo identification for all applicants (License, Passport)
3. Legal permanent resident card for all applicants
4. Birth Certificate for all family member born in the United States of America
5. Divorce decree/child support affidavit/marriage license
6. Check stubs for last 2 months for all applicants
7. Tax returns for the three previous years for all applicants
8. Rent receipts for the last 2 months
9. Bank statement
10. Employment verification