home ownership

what it means to partner with us

Do you dream of owning your own home, but despite all your efforts, are having trouble saving enough for a down payment and don’t qualify for a conventional mortgage? Habitat for Humanity GTA may be able to help.

Since 1988, we have partnered with working, low-income families living in the GTA to help them build and buy their own decent, affordable home through a unique affordable homeownership solution. Learn about the steps to homeownership and find out if you qualify.

steps to apply for homeownership

See which builds are currently accepting applications for homeownership

who qualifies for affordable homeownership?

introduction to ownership criteria

current residence

Families currently living or working for a minimum of one (1) year in the specific region in which they wish to apply for homeownership.

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need for affordable housing

Habitat for Humanity GTA homeowners are selected, in large part, based on their level of need. Families will be considered for a Habitat home if their present housing is not adequate and if they are unable to afford adequate housing through other conventional means.

Factors to consider:

Current living conditions are overcrowded, unsafe or unhealthy (e.g. inadequate structure, unsafe wiring, heating, air quality, water, poor sanitation, etc.)
Current housing costs are too high (e.g. basic shelter costs are more than 30% of total family income)
Barriers exist for physically challenged family members
Have at least one child under age 16 living in your home

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ability to pay a Habitat mortgage

Habitat for Humanity GTA does not give homes away for free. Families must have a reliable source of income and demonstrate their ability to pay a mortgage back to Habitat for Humanity GTA over a 20-year period.

Factors to consider:

There is no down payment required on a Habitat home.
Your monthly mortgage payments are interest free (0% interest) and payments are never more than 30% of your total family income.
Applicants will be asked to submit a current credit reference check that shows a good credit history, as well as other required documentation from employers, landlords, banks and credit lenders to confirm reliability of income.
Employment Insurance (EI) or Ontario Works (OW) are not acceptable sources of income
Applicants must not have large debt.
Total family income must not be more than the affordability income ranges identified by Habitat for Humanity GTA

Take the homeownership eligibility questionnaire

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willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity

Each family selected for homeownership with Habitat for Humanity GTA becomes a partner with us in the journey toward affordable homeownership. Habitat families are considered our greatest ambassadors and as such are asked to help us with a variety of initiatives that advance our mission.

Each family is asked to fulfill the following partnership requirements:

Contribute a minimum of 500 hours of volunteer ‘sweat equity’ toward the construction of their own home or a variety of other Habitat projects
Commit to a homeownership and mortgage agreement with Habitat for Humanity GTA
Be an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity GTA and represent the mission (e.g. speak about your experience with Habitat for Humanity GTA at events, in media interviews or in videos to help promote our organization’s work to other families, donors and volunteers.)
Attend Homeowner Education workshops to learn about the responsibilities of homeownership
Adult members of the household must submit a criminal reference check prior to acceptance into the program

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our homeownership locations

Toronto
There are no builds currently accepting applications. Check back soon for future homeownership opportunities.

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Brampton Caledon
There are a number of home builds currently accepting applications for homeownership in this area.
Get more information about our current available home builds.

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