Affordable Homeownership

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.

Families may find themselves in need of decent shelter due to a variety of circumstances — unpredictable rent increases, overcrowded living conditions, damaged or dilapidated structures, unsafe neighborhoods, or lack of access to land and affordable financing.

When families partner with Habitat, they start down a new path — one with far fewer barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life.

Habitat homeowners play a hands-on role in the homeownership process, beginning with the sweat equity hours they perform. To fulfill sweat equity hours, they work alongside volunteers to help build and renovate the places they will call home. Some also work toward this requirement by putting in time at one of the local Habitat ReStores, while others may serve on committees or help out at the Habitat Chicago South Suburbs office. Future homeowners are also required to attend financial education and budget-planning classes.