Skip to main content

Homeownership Program

For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc. has built homes and fulfilled dreams in partnership with hardworking families and individuals. Through a collaborative effort, Habitat works toward increasing the affordable housing stock in our community. Homes are sold to qualifying partner families and financed with affordable loans.

Want to apply to be a Habitat for Humanity Partner Family?

Our homeownership program empowers hard working individuals and families to build and buy their own homes.  We partner with our homeowners every step of the way, and provide the education and support needed to become successful homeowners. 

Habitat Partner Qualifications

Our staff and Family Selection Committee select our partner families based on four main criteria:

  1. Need for Housing: An applicant is considered in need if they pay more than 30% of their income towards rent, the home they are living in is too small for the number of people, the home itself is substandard or unsafe (the roof leaks, the plumbing or wiring is bad, etc.) and/or children do not have a safe space to live and play.
  2. Ability to Pay: Habitat sells newly constructed homes to family partners at cost, with no-to-low interest. We use a mortgage that is structured to be no more than 30% of each family's monthly earnings. Habitat seeks family partners earning about 80% of the area median income (this amount varies between counties and fluctuates from year to year). 
  3. Willingness to Partner: Habitat for Humanity requires each partner to commit to 500 hours of "Sweat Equity" (volunteer work time). The head(s) of the household who will be living in the home must complete 250 of these hours, and the additional 250 can be done by friends and family. "Sweat Equity" hours help families gain a sense of ownership as well as a better understanding of the building process. Partners are required to participate in a homeownership education and financial planning course. 
  4. Residency: Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc. requires applicants to have lived or worked in the county of the home to which you are applying (Gallatin, Park or Madison) for at least one year prior to submitting an application. 

Program Eligibility

Review the financial and general qualifications below to understand the criteria to be eligible for our program. You must:

  • Live or work in the county you are applying for at the time of application.
  • Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident.
  • Have at least three years since being discharged from bankruptcy.
  • Earn an annual gross income within the range based on family size (as determined by programs (such as HUD) applicants may be eligible with through Habitat for Humanity. HUD's income levels are county specific and updated yearly)
  • Credit score of 640+

*Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc. updates our income requirements based on area market conditions and varies from county to county. We reserve the right to revise these guidelines at any time. 

**Gallatin Valley: Because of rising costs and land prices in the Gallatin Valley, Gallatin Valley applicants must make a minimum of $36,000 annually

 

 


How to Apply

Madison County

We are currently accepting applications for Partner Families in the Ennis area for our next project. If you live or work in the Ennis area and would like to apply, please download the application and application checklist and submit all materials to:

Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc.

c/o Brian Kraft

230 Arden Drive

Belgrade, MT 59714

Please sign up here for our monthly newsletter with updates on current and future projects.

Gallatin and Park Counties

If you live or work in Gallatin or Park Counties and would like to apply, please download the application and application checklist and submit all materials to:

Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley, Inc.

c/o Brian Kraft

230 Arden Drive

Belgrade, MT 59714

Please sign up here for our monthly newsletter with updates on current and future projects.

  • Pre-Applicaton

    Please fill out the form below and we will get in touch with you after an initial review.

Country
Address Line 1 *
City *
State/Province *
Postal Code *

 

Habitat for Humanity of Gallatin Valley provides equal housing opportunities for all, and ensures fair and equal access to its programs and services regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, source of income, or other characteristics protected by law. Anyone who feels he or she has been discriminated against may file a complaint by calling 1-800-669-9777 (Toll Free) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY).

Our door is always open. 

Call us or stop in today and we can answer any of your questions regarding programs and services. Thank you for your interest in our chapter of Habitat for Humanity.