Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Homeownership

Habitat is a partnership between families, volunteers and donors working together to improve the living conditions of families in the East Bay. New partner families join our larger Habitat family—here in the East Bay, we are more than 200 households, 550 Habitat youth and tens of thousands of volunteers.

How Habitat Works

Habitat East Bay’s model is unique, engaging the whole East Bay community in the construction of every Habitat home. Habitat partner families get a hand up, not a hand out, as well as the safety and security of owning a home. Habitat homes are affordable due to zero-interest mortgages, volunteer labor and community support. Partner families invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction of their home, and are responsible for monthly mortgage payments and upkeep of their home. For more about the Habitat model, learn about us.

Is homeownership through Habitat for me?

Do you:

• Enjoy working with new people—volunteers, staff, other homeowners?
• Have interest in forming a community with your new neighbors?
• Have the time and energy to complete 500 hours of sweat equity work?
• Have the commitment to be a successful homeowner—by attending homeowner education workshops, leadership trainings, making timely mortgage payments, and maintaining upkeep of your home after moving in?

The Road to Homeownership

Habitat partner families are carefully selected to ensure that they are well-prepared and qualified for Habitat at this time. Between the selection process and the sweat equity period, it could take 18-24 months to move into a Habitat home. If you have an immediate need for housing, please consider these other organizations.