Homeownership
Program
West Post Application Status: open
Becoming a Habitat partner Family
Our homeownership program empowers individuals and families to help build and purchase their own homes. Habitat partners with homeowners every step of the way, providing education, financial guidance, and long-term support to ensure successful homeownership.
Selection Process
Step 1: submit an applicant interest form
Complete an Applicant Interest Form with your basic identifying and financial information. We will notify you via email whether or not you meet our qualifications and will move on to the next step.
Step 2: submit an application
We will send you an official application to collect more in depth financial information. Again, we will notify you if you meet our qualifications and will move on to the next step.
Step 3: submit documentation
We will collect documentation of your financial status as the last step in our verification process. Again, we will notify you if you meet our qualifications and move on to the family selection process.
Step 4: Family selection committee
Qualified applicants will move on to our family selection committee. The committee will choose the selected families based on need for housing, ability to pay, willingness to partner, and our residency requirement. We will notify you if you have been selected and invite you to begin the home-purchasing process.
Step 5: Purchase your home!
Habitat will work with and guide you through the home buying process!
If you have any questions about our application process, please contact us at
homeownership@habitatbozeman.org
or (406) 388-8225 ext. 103
Eligibility Requirements
Live and work in the county where applying
Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
If you’ve ever filed for bankruptcy, have at least three years since discharge from bankruptcy
Earn income within HUD-defined limits based on household size
Have a minimum credit score of 640
Make between 60-80% AMI (see chart below)
Family selection criteria
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Applicants must demonstrate housing need, such as:
Paying more than 30% of income toward rent
Living in overcrowded, unsafe, or substandard housing
Lack of safe space for children
Applicants must not currently own a home
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Housing costs may not exceed 30% of household income
Homes are sold at cost with no-to-low interest financing
Household income must be below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
While Habitat is not currently providing direct loans, applicants may pursue financing through programs such as the Montana Board of Housing (MBOH)
HUD income limits are county-specific and updated annually
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Commitment of 300 hours of “Sweat Equity”
200 hours completed by the household head(s) (volunteer hours can be split between home build and ReStore)
Remaining 100 hours may be completed by friends or family (hours may be split between home build and ReStore)
Completion of homeownership education and financial planning courses
Home must be owner-occupied and may not be rented or sublet
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Applicants must live or work in Gallatin, Park, or Madison County for at least one year prior to application.
Current Home Builds
Over the next three years, we will be building a total of eight, three bedroom, two bath single family homes each around 1500 square feet. These eight homes will be built in the new West Post development in Belgrade, MT.
After breaking ground in July 2026, we expect to hand the keys of the first two houses over around the New Year. These houses will be sold for approximately $350,000 with a 2% interest rate.
