Homeownership

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

Applications for our next new home in Eatontown will be opening soon. We will update this page when we begin accepting applications.

Please contact Lori Mallon at lmallon@monmouthhabitat.org or (732) 728 0441 ext. 311 if you need more information. Applicants are asked to complete our pre-qualification form below:

Homebuyer Application Pre-Qualification Form

We will acknowledge receipt of these forms, conduct an initial review of your request, and keep your information on file if you meet the basic initial requirements. 

Income Guidelines for Homeownership

We accept homeownership applications from low- to moderate-income households. Eligible household income typically falls between 50% and 80%, or 60% and 80%, of the regional median income for Monmouth, Mercer, and Ocean counties, depending on the specific housing opportunity.

Most of the homes we build have three bedrooms and are generally intended for households of 3 to 6 people. Specific eligibility requirements will be provided when applications open for each new home.

Income limits and household-size requirements vary by project. Monmouth County 2026 income information is available HERE.

Household Size / Income Limit for Low to Moderate Income (50% – 80%) in Monmouth, Mercer and Ocean County (2026)
3 People – $63,250 – $101,200
4 People – $70,250 – $112,400
5 People– $75,900- $121,440
6 People – $81,500 – $130,400

Household Size / Income Limit for Moderate Income (60% – 80%) in Monmouth, Mercer, and Ocean County (2026)
3 People – $75,960 – $101,200
4 People – $84,360 – $112,400
5 People– $91,140 – $121, 440
6 People – $97,860 – $130,400

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 an affordable-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 200-400 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 serves 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 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 an affordable housing 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 UHAC (Uniform Housing Affordability Controls) 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 Monmouth County Habitat for Humanity’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 creditworthiness.  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.