Homeowners Wanted! Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley opens applications for new Habitat homes

There is nothing like summer in Eagle County — wildflowers galore, bright blue skies and gatherings with friends and family. It feels a like a little slice of paradise. That’s why we are all here, after all.

The lack of affordable homeownership opportunities brings us quickly back to reality. One of the biggest freedoms a person can have is homeownership. A home provides a safe haven, a place of respite, a place where friends and family gather. Studies show children of parents who own a home do better in school, with less absences and have better mental health and physical health. Owning a home builds wealth, provides stability, transforms lives, improves health and educational outcomes, and benefits our communities

People who own their homes have stronger ties to the neighborhood and community — they want to give back. Owning a home feels further out of reach than it did a few years ago. That’s where Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley comes into play.

Habitat Vail Valley is opening its application for homeownership, trying to give more hardworking locals the opportunity for homeownership. The applications opened July 1 and will remain open through September 29, 2023.

In the past year, Habitat Vail Valley received 170 applications for 24 homes. We know the need continues to grow. Habitat is trying to answer by building 40 homes in three years — double the number over the previous three years.

A Home is Everything

A stable, affordable home creates health equity and positive behavioral and physical health outcomes for kids, families and the community. Anyone who needs a safe, affordable home is encouraged to reach out to the Habitat team and/or fill out an application.

Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat homeowners can be anyone: single parents, families, couples without children, single people, blended families — anyone who needs a safe, affordable home.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Need

• Shelter is inadequate or unsafe due to problems with heating, water supply, structural safety, overcrowding, etc.
• The monthly housing payment is more than 30% of gross monthly income.
• The neighborhood is unsafe.

Ability to Pay

• Stable, monthly income sufficient to meet routine expenses, maintain the house and make monthly mortgage payments.
• Income must be between 35-80% of the area median income (AMI) for Eagle County. This year, for a single person, the range is $39,159 to $62,650; for a family of four that range is $39,159 to $89,450.
• Acceptable credit.

Willingness to Partner with Habitat

Future homeowners partner with Habitat to help build their home and homes for neighbors, known as “Sweat Equity.” The homeowner must complete 250 sweat equity hours per adult before moving into the home.

Residency Status 

Applicants must be either residents or permanent legal residents. All other residency statuses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Habitat Vail Valley is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

If you’re not sure if you qualify, please reach out: 970.748.6718 or familyselection@habitatvailvalley.org.

Family Selection Process

• Phase 1: Apply for a Home
• Request an application: call the Habitat office at (970) 748-6718, send an email familyselection@habitatvailvalley.org or download the application www.habitatvailvalley.org/homeownership/application-process
• APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY HABITAT BY September 29, 2023, by 3:00pm.
• Phase 2: Initial Application Review & Credit Check
• Phase 3: Information Gathering
• Phase 4: Final Interviews
• Phase 5: Family Selection

About Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley

Habitat Vail Valley was founded in 1995 and has building homes in partnership with hardworking locals ever since. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. In 2022, Habitat Vail Valley tripled its number of housing starts; by the end of 2024, there will be 40 new homes built in Eagle County.