​607-734-1361

Own your own home

​We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home

Become a Habitat Homeowner

We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home. By working with us from beginning to end, we can help you prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.

Qualifications

  • You meet income guidelines, save money toward a down payment, and prepare to pay an affordable mortgage. 

 

  • Homeowners must be able to pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat makes a reasonable effort to ensure that an affordable mortgage does not exceed 30% of the homeowner’s gross monthly income. 

 

  • Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing “sweat equity,” or helping to build their own home or the homes of others in our homeownership program. Partner families are required to attend a first-time homebuyer class.​
Chemung County minimum gross household income

Income guidelines for applicants living in Chemung County for 2025 – 60% AMI

Chemung County maximum gross household income

Income guidelines for applicants living in Chemung County for 2025 – 80% AMI

If your housing situation includes one or more of the following examples, you may be eligible to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home.

  • Substandard: Examples may include broken plumbing, faulty or unsafe electrical service, poor heating, deteriorating structure, or any other health and safety issue.

  • Cost burdened: Rental payments are 35% or more of your total income.

  • Overcrowded: If an adult and child, more than two children, or two children of the opposite sex share a bedroom.

Habitat homebuyers must have a steady source of income that is within income requirements for your household size. You must also maintain good credit. We run an initial credit report for qualification and also monitor credit quarterly while you work towards homeownership.​

Willingness to partner is your household’s commitment to provide consistent, dedicated work to the Chemung County Habitat for Humanity program. Examples include:

  • Single applicants must complete a minimum of 200 sweat equity hours, 100 of which must be performed on a Habitat construction site.

  • Dual applicants must complete a minimum of 350 sweat equity hours, 150 of which must be performed on a Habitat construction site.

  • Homebuyers must attend financial literacy and other required educational classes.

  • Homebuyers must meet with your volunteer coach at least once per month.

  • Homebuyers must provide proof of income and savings once a month.

  • Homebuyers are required to provide up to $5,000 towards the closing costs of the home and will be expected to achieve this goal while completing program requirements.

  • Homebuyers must make on time monthly home mortgage payments.

  • Homebuyers must maintain and repair the home after occupancy.

Testimonial

Listen to Zamantha’s story about achieving homeownership for her family through Chemung County Habitat for Humanity.

“This process has taught me patience and persistence, because when I was just about to give up, I was approved for this home. I am grateful to Habitat, my sponsors and all that were involved with this process and for giving me this opportunity.”