This is a sample of questions commonly asked at meetings and workshops regarding the Homeownership Program with Bend-Redmond Habitat for Humanity. For more detailed information, watch the Informational Videos on our site. Please understand that one question and answer does not represent your ability to qualify or not for the program. Complete a Customer Intake Form and meet 1:1 with Habitat staff to review your qualifications and mortgage readiness.

Questions. Click on the arrow to see the Answer.

How are the homes affordable?

Answer: We utilize grants and seek out funding through the city and state to subsidize the cost of building our homes. Each homebuyer qualifies for a mortgage based on their household income. Any remaining funding gap is covered in a second loan from Bend-Redmond Habitat.

I thought Habitat was only for really low income people. I have a good job at the hospital and I have been pre-qualified for a loan amount of $200,000 but I can’t find a home to buy. Can I apply for the Habitat program?

Answer: Yes. Bend-Redmond Habitat serves a broader income range than people might realize. See our program qualification flyer for more information.

My partner receives disability income, does that count as household income?

Answer: Yes, disability income is counted as household income.

I am within the income guidelines but I think my credit is bad. What credit score do I need to have to qualify?

Answer: The definition of “bad credit” is different for everyone. The loan program we use requires a minimum credit score of 620. If you fill out a Customer Intake Form and schedule a 1:1 mortgage readiness meeting, we will review your credit history and look at ways to build your credit.

I don’t have a social security number. I have lived, worked, and paid taxes here for 20 years. Can I apply for the program if I have an ITIN number?

Answer: Right now, no. There are lenders working to get a loan product for ITIN holders. It may be available as early as 2023.

I’m not a legal resident, but my 18-year-old son is. Can the loan be under his name?

Answer: The main income earner must be the applicant or co-applicant. Your son’s income and credit score would have to be able to qualify for the loan.

My roommate and I want to buy a house together. Can we qualify?

Answer: We are an equal housing lender and as long as you meet the other guidelines, we encourage you to apply.

My roommate and I want to buy a house together. Do we qualify?

Possibly. We do not discriminate against people based on household make up. We encourage you to apply. Start by watching the informational video and submitting a Customer Intake Form. Both applicant and co-applicant must meet the basic Need, Ability to Pay and Willingness to partner guidelines.

I’m just a single person. I thought Habitat was only for families. Can I qualify?

Answer: Yes. We work with a variety of household types. Habitat plans to build one, two and three bedroom homes in the near future.

I have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and I am currently on an income- based repayment (IBR) plan of $0 per month. Can I qualify for a Habitat home?

Answer: In most cases, an IBR plan is enough to show that your monthly debt obligation is within your means. The total amount of student debt is not necessarily a limiting factor to qualifying for a loan. If you are not on a verified payment plan, we would look at school loans as a percentage of the total loans (usually about 1.5% of the total as an estimated monthly payment).

My husband’s mother lives with us and we have one daughter in high school. Can we all live in a Habitat home together?

Answer: Yes, as long as you meet the guidelines. We will look at the income of all the adults in the household.

How much will I pay for a Habitat Home?

Answer: Your mortgage payment will be set according to what you can afford, typically no more than 33% of your gross monthly income at the time of the home loan application.

Will I be able to sell my habitat house?

Answer: Yes, but there are resale restrictions. Habitat has the right of first offer and there is a shared appreciation model. If Habitat does not choose to buy it back, you can sell it and will have to pay off any loans on the home. For more information, please watch the Informational Videos.

How does a Land Lease work?

Answer: Bend-Redmond Habitat builds homes that are not only affordable for current homeowners, but also for future generations. The land lease model allows Habitat homeowners to build equity in their own homes, while ensuring that the home is affordable to the next buyer. Land leases enable Habitat to get more Central Oregon families into affordable homeownership.

Click here to download Land Lease FAQs
What other programs and resources are available?

Answer: See this resource list provided by NeighborImpact 

Click here to download Resource List

For other questions, please email homeownership@brhabitat.org