Homeownership

Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

Thank you for your interest in Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity.    

If you are interested in applying for a home, please complete and submit the pre-qualification form.  We will acknowledge the receipt of these forms, conduct an initial review of your request and keep your information on file if you meet the basic initial requirements.  Please contact Marianne for more information at mherring@monmouthhabitat.org, or call 732-728-0441, ext. 311.

Income Guidelines for Homeownership

We’ve selected a family for our house in Fair Haven, and we’re breaking ground on several more homes soon in Eatontown and Wall.

We are accepting homeowner applications from moderate-income (60 – 80% of the median Monmouth County income) home buyers for our upcoming builds. Moderate income in Monmouth County ranges from $67,896 to $124,960 based on family size. 

Family Size / Income Limit for Moderate Income in Monmouth County (2025)
1 Person – $67,896 – 75,440
2 Person – $77,544 – 86,160
3 Person – $87,264 – 96,960
4 Person – $96,912 – 107,680
5 Person – $104,688 – 115,320
6 Person – $112,464 – 124,960

Monmouth County income information is available HERE. For more information, please contact Marianne Herring at mherring@monmouthhabitat.org, or call 732-728-0441, ext. 311.

Who do we serve?

Habitat partners with people who meet three basic criteria: 

1. Need: Applicants will be eligible for our program if they currently live or work in Monmouth, Ocean or Mercer County, and are living under conditions that are not adequate based on size, structural condition, or safety concerns.

2. Ability to Pay: Applicants must have a steady income to pay a low interest mortgage. We serve people whose income is between 60% to 80% of Monmouth County’s area median income.  Income limits are available by clicking here.

3. Willingness to partner with Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity: When selected, you become a “partner family” in the Habitat movement. Your participation in the construction of your home and the homes of others is called “sweat equity”.  Families are required to complete 250-400 hours of “sweat equity”, depending on family size, prior to closing on their homes.

We rely on an extensive range of partners to complete our work. From securing donated materials to recruiting skilled volunteers to fundraising. All of our work is interconnected with a wide network of community partners. Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity offers an affordable homeownership program that services moderate-income, hardworking families and individuals. By partnering with volunteers, corporations, donors, youth and congregations we are making the dream of homeownership a reality. We carefully select families and individuals for each house we build or rehabilitate.

Please complete the initial pre-qualification form.
Once received, someone from our office will contact you to review your information.

FAQ

If you meet the basic criteria, you will be asked to complete a multi-page application including a form which allows us to request consumer reports.  You will be asked to submit recent pay stubs and will be asked to provide copies of your income tax returns.

A Habitat home is typically a three bedroom, one and a half bath ranch home.  This may vary depending on the individual lot.

The cost of the home will vary depending on the location where it is built.  An appraisal will be done on each home to determine the selling price.  In most cases, there will be a first and second mortgage.  The first mortgage will be a low interest loan, generally with a monthly payment (including principal, interest, taxes and insurance) that would not exceed 33% of a family’s gross monthly income.  The second mortgage will be a non-amortizing, zero percent rate loan which is only due and payable in the event of sale, foreclosure, or refinance.

Yes. To insure that the home remains affordable, there will be deed restrictions on the property.  If the home is designated as a COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) home, there will be restrictions regarding the sale price to a future homeowner.   In cases where Habitat for Humanity has received Home funding assistance from Monmouth County, any resale will be subject to the County’s requirements that the home remain affordable for a period of fifteen years.  All other resales will be subject to the restrictions set forth in Habitat for Humanity in Monmouth County’s 30-year deed restriction. (The Council on Affordable Housing, a NJ State Agency responsible for establishing and monitoring municipal affordable housing obligations in NJ.)

We ask for a deposit of $2,500.00.  $100.00 is due upon signing the contract for sale.  The balance is due at closing. We will help you apply for the Monmouth County First Time Homebuyers Grant which, if approved, could provide up to $10,000 for closing costs and deposit.

All selected families need to obtain a homeowners insurance policy, and flood insurance, if applicable, and come to closing with proof that the premiums for the first year are paid in full.

Our Family Selection committee will look at your credit score and overall credit worthiness.  A family’s monthly, long term debt (any debt that would take more than 10 months to pay off) cannot exceed 43% of their gross monthly income.  In addition, an applicant must not have had a bankruptcy within the last two years.

Our Family Selection Committee reviews the applications and makes their recommendation to our Board of Trustees, who has final approval.

All selected families are required to complete a Homebuyer Education Workshop and be certified by the Affordable Housing Alliance.  Other financial education courses may be required.

It usually takes between 12 and 18 months to build a Habitat home. However, this varies with each home build.

Applicants must be US citizens or permanent legal residents to apply.