Helping working families achieve the dream of owning their own home.
Building Affordable Homes, Strengthening Communities
At Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. By working with families, volunteers, and donors, we create simple, high-quality homes that empower individuals and strengthen our community. Our mission is to provide decent, affordable housing—without profit, without predatory lending, and with a commitment to sustainable homeownership.
What Makes Habitat Homes Affordable?
Our unique approach ensures that Habitat homes remain deeply affordable for working families.
Here’s how we make it possible:
1. Modest, Well-Designed Homes
We build homes that meet essential family needs while keeping costs low. Every home includes:
- Energy-efficient LED lighting and durable flooring
- Basic kitchen appliances (stove, refrigerator)
- Thoughtfully designed, simple floor plans to reduce maintenance costs
2. Lower Long-Term Costs
- Energy-efficient designs cut down on monthly utility bills
- No-profit pricing ensures families pay only the actual cost of the home
3. Zero-Interest Mortgage
Owning a home should be more affordable than renting. That’s why we provide 30-year, zero-interest mortgages, making homeownership attainable with payments significantly lower than market rent.
4. Sweat Equity: Investing in the Future
Every adult homebuyer contributes 225 hours of sweat equity, including:
- Working on the construction of their home and others
- Participating in our STEP program to support current homeowners
- Volunteering in our ReStore home improvement center
- Attending financial literacy and home maintenance classes
This hands-on experience builds self-reliance and prepares families for homeownership.
5. Community-Powered Construction
We rely on the support of volunteers and donated materials to keep costs low. Hundreds of local businesses and individuals participate in our Build Days, contributing labor, building materials, and appliances.
The Benefits of Homeownership
Owning a home through Habitat for Humanity provides more than just a roof overhead—it transforms lives.
- Stability & Security: Homeownership gives families control over their housing, ensuring a safe and stable environment.
- Better Opportunities for Youth: Studies show that children in stable housing perform better in school and build stronger social connections.
- Stronger Communities: Homeowners take pride in their neighborhoods, fostering safer and more connected communities.
- Long-Term Financial Growth: Instead of paying rent, homeowners build equity, creating a foundation for future financial security.
Who Qualifies for a Habitat Home?
Habitat for Humanity follows fair and transparent selection criteria to ensure that homeownership remains accessible to those in need.
- Need for Safe, Affordable Housing: Applicants may be experiencing high rent burdens, overcrowding, or unsafe living conditions.
- Income Eligibility: Families must meet low-to-moderate income requirements, typically earning no more than 60% of the area median income.
- Willingness to Partner: Applicants must complete required sweat equity hours, attend homeowner education courses, and participate in the building process.
- Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage: Monthly housing costs must not exceed 30% of the applicant's gross monthly income and total monthly debt payments, including their new housing cost, must not exceed 43% of their gross monthly income at the time of closing.
Each Partner Family’s financial situation is unique, which means the required financial documents may vary from one applicant to another. Habitat evaluates each application on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as income, debt, assets, and overall financial stability. Additionally, changing economic conditions or individual circumstances—such as fluctuations in income, employment status, or unexpected financial obligations—may influence how an applicant qualifies for the program. To ensure a fair and thorough assessment, Habitat works closely with each applicant, reviewing their specific financial situation and guiding them through the qualification process.
LEARN ABOUT OUR RECENT PROJECT, THE FIELD OF DREAMS
Changing Lives
Habitat provides homeownership opportunities to people who had little hope of ever owning a home. Homeownership stabilizes their children's lives, fostering success in school, relationships, and life. Homeownership disrupts intergenerational poverty. Habitat for Humanity Greater Salt Lake Area has built 117 homes, serving working households that earn 30% to 60% of the area's median income. Read about the Cavrag Family and the Amin Family.
Get Involved: Help Build Homes, Hope & Community
- Volunteer – Join us for a Build Day and make a hands-on impact.
- Donate – Your contribution helps us build more affordable homes.
- Shop at ReStore – Support Habitat by purchasing new, gently used home improvement materials.
