How Habitat Works

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People are the key—it’s how Habitat works.

Habitat works when everyone works together. From donors to volunteers to hard-working homeowners, here’s how we bring people together to build homes and hope.

Each and every day, people all over the world (and all over east central Ohio) partner with Habitat for Humanity to offer families strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build and purchase their own decent home with an affordable zero-interest mortgage. When hard-working families are surrounded and supported by determined volunteers and generous donors, a future full of opportunity is built. Here’s how Habitat works.

one

the partnership begins Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Families must be currently living in substandard housing, have a steady income, and be willing to partner with Habitat. Learn more about homeownership.

two

property is acquired Land for a family’s future home is donated to or purchased by Habitat. Habitat also renovates existing homes that are donated or purchased to create safe housing through the Preserve-A-Home program. Would you like to make a tax-deductible land or property donation? Contact us today.

three

resources are secured

Sponsors and donors contribute the financial resources that allow Habitat to secure the required materials and services to build or renovate each home. Businesses and organizations also donate their materials and services as a tax-deductible gift-in-kind. Contact us to learn more.

four

future homeowners prepare

Future homeowners progress through the Habitat partnership by completing sweat equity hours. This includes building their home and the homes of other families, participating in Homeowner Maintenance Education (HOME), completing financial literacy courses, and much more. Learn more about sweat equity.

five

the home is built or renovated

Volunteers contribute their time to build or renovate a family’s home. While serving with Habitat, volunteers will work alongside future homeowners and Habitat site supervisors – no previous experience or skill required. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity! Learn more about volunteering with Habitat.

six

the home is sold Once all of the partnership requirements have been met and the home construction or renovation is complete, the home is sold to the deserving family with a long term, zero interest mortgage. The family or individual now owns a safe, decent, and affordable home.

seven

the cycle repeats

As current Habitat homeowners make payments on their zero interest mortgage, they are helping to fund the construction and renovation of additional homes with other low-income families. Every Habitat for Humanity home, whether new or renovated, has some funding from homeowner house payments and proceeds from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

one

the partnership begins Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Families must be currently living in substandard housing, have a steady income, and be willing to partner with Habitat. Learn more about homeownership.

two

property is acquired Land for a family’s future home is donated to or purchased by Habitat. Habitat also renovates existing homes that are donated or purchased to create safe housing through the Preserve-A-Home program. Would you like to make a tax-deductible land or property donation? Contact us today.

three

resources are secured

Sponsors and donors contribute the financial resources that allow Habitat to secure the required materials and services to build or renovate each home. Businesses and organizations also donate their materials and services as a tax-deductible gift-in-kind. Contact us to learn more.

four

future homeowners prepare

Future homeowners progress through the Habitat partnership by completing sweat equity hours. This includes building their home and the homes of other families, participating in Homeowner Maintenance Education (HOME), completing financial literacy courses, and much more. Learn more about sweat equity.

five

the home is built or renovated

Volunteers contribute their time to build or renovate a family’s home. While serving with Habitat, volunteers will work alongside future homeowners and Habitat site supervisors – no previous experience or skill required. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity! Learn more about volunteering with Habitat.

six

the home is sold Once all of the partnership requirements have been met and the home construction or renovation is complete, the home is sold to the deserving family with a long term, zero interest mortgage. The family or individual now owns a safe, decent, and affordable home.

seven

the cycle repeats

As current Habitat homeowners make payments on their zero interest mortgage, they are helping to fund the construction and renovation of additional homes with other low-income families. Every Habitat for Humanity home, whether new or renovated, has some funding from homeowner house payments and proceeds from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

How Families Qualify

To be eligible to purchase a Habitat home, potential homeowners must meet three areas of qualification:



Ability to Pay

Habitat homes are not given away. They are sold to partner families with a zero-interest mortgage. Each family must demonstrate steady income. 

Need for Decent, Affordable Housing

A family must be currently living in sub-standard housing. Habitat works each day to help families discover decent, affordable housing.



Willingness to Partner

A family must have the willingness to partner with Habitat by investing Sweat Equity in their home and the homes of other families.

How Communities Benefit

When the people of a community are strengthened, the whole community is improved.



Habitat Homeownership Creates Property Tax Payers

Families who partner with Habitat for Humanity are active, invested families who care deeply for the communities they are a part of. As families settle in to their new homes and become a part of the tax base, the whole community is strengthened.



Habitat Connects People Directly to Those They Are Helping

Every person who volunteers and donates is a key part of changing a family’s future. Partner families aren’t people who are in far away places. They’re folks who live and work in this community.



Partnering with Habitat Helps God's People to Put Their Faith to Work

As a Christian ministry, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio offers people of all faiths the opportunity to live out a commitment to service and care for the most vulnerable in our communities.



Committed Home Buyers Improve the Homeownership Base

When a community has a high rate of homeownership, a beautiful cycle of investment begins. This commitment to a better community means that everyone enjoys a stronger and healthier neighborhood.



Invested Homeowners Overcome Urban and Rural Blight

When invested homeowners focus their attention on keeping their home and community in excellent condition, neighborhoods enjoy higher levels of safety, security, and pride of ownership.



Volunteering with Habitat Develops Team-Building Skills

There’s something special about serving together, and sharing an experience that is not only enjoyable, but makes a lasting impact for a family in need. Churches, businesses, organizations, and groups of all types and sizes can partner with us.



Volunteer

Whatever your skill set, stage of life, or passion, there is a place for you.

Volunteer Today 

Donate

Build the foundation of a family's future with a gift of any size.

Donate Today 

Own a Home

Every one of us deserves a decent and affordable place to call home.

Learn More 

ReStore

Donate and shop for home goods at the store that builds homes.

Visit ReStore

Begin Your Application

Apply Online Click 'Apply Online' to complete your application securely online. A valid email address is required to submit and complete your application. You can also pick up a printed application at our Ministry Offices, Tuesday to Friday from 8:30am to 4pm.

Income from the following sources can be considered:

• Employment (minimum of one month at current job; two years of employment income history)
• Self-Employment (minimum of two years of documented self-employment income history)
• Social Security (SS)
• Disability (SSDI)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Child Support
• Alimony
• Pension
• Veterans’ Benefits

Required Supporting Documentation

After completing the initial application, you must submit supporting documents to complete your file. All documents listed below (if applicable to you and the income you’re claiming) are required within one calendar month of when you submitted the initial application. If all documents are not received by the end of the one-month period, your application is considered incomplete, your file is invalid and closed, and you will need to restart the process. No exceptions.

Paperwork can be submitted in the following ways:

• Fax (330) 915-5887 Attn: Housing Application Team
• Scanned PDF email attachment to [email protected]
• US Mail to 1400 Raff Road SW Ste. A, Canton, Ohio 44710 Attn: Housing Application Team
  • Ministry Office lobby during business hours | Tuesday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:00pm
  • After hours | Sealed in an envelope and dropped in the black lockbox located off the sidewalk outside the Community Center entrance near the middle of the Habitat building.

Any paperwork submitted is added to a legal file and cannot be returned to the applicant. Please make clear copies in PDF (electronic) or standard 8.5" x 11" (hardcopy) format. Photographs, blurry or illegible copies, and/or originals are not accepted. (Note: Habitat does not make copies at the office because of the high volume of applications received.)

Identity, Citizenship, and Custody Verification

• Driver's license or state ID with photo for applicant and co-applicant
• Birth certificates for everyone who will live in the home, including dependents
• Legal guardianship/custody/adoption papers, if applicable (example: custody of non-biological children, fostering, etc.)

Income from Current and Previous Employment — Applicant and/or Co-Applicant

• Most recent full month of paystubs for current job(s) — paystubs MUST include YTD gross income figure
• Tax forms from prior two years, including
  • W-2(s) for all jobs worked
  • Federal Tax Returns
  • State Tax Returns
  • City Tax Returns

Income from Child Support or Alimony — Applicant and/or Co-Applicant

• Previous year monthly history printout
• Current year monthly history printout up to current month

Income from Social Service Benefits or Othe Fixed Income — Applicant and/or Co-ApplicantThis includes income from Social Security, Disability, Supplemental Security income, Ohio Works First, Pension, Veterans Benefits, etc. This does not include Food Stamps.

• Previous year award letter and/or 1099 showing benefits earned
• Current year award letter showing current monthly benefit amount.

Helpful Hints — Tax Documents

Paystubs verify current employment income and tax documentation (W2s and tax return forms) verify two years of income history and that there are no delinquent taxes.

For federal and state return documentation, only the forms labeled IRS 1040 and Ohio 1040 are required. Additional federal and state forms (ie, Earned Income, Child Tax, Schedule J, etc.) are not needed unless applicant is self-employed or received unemployment compensation; in that case, Schedule C Self Employment documents or Schedule 1 showing unemployment benefits must also be submitted. City tax returns are typically one page labeled by the city in which taxes were filed.

If you do not have copies of your tax documents from the company you filed with, you can obtain copies directly from the federal, state, and city departments of taxation:

W2’s and/or Federal: W2s show where you were employed and how much you made at that job. A Federal IRS 1040 return verifies that you filed your federal taxes. Both are required by Habitat. Visit the Ralph Regula Federal Building at 301 McKinley Ave. SW Canton, OH 44702 (appointment required), call their office at 330-588-4417, or visit https://www.irs.gov/ to request a transcript of your W2’s or tax return.

State: All Ohio residents are required to file an Ohio 1040 state return. Contact State Attorney General’s Office – Department of Taxation at 1-800-282-1782 or online at https://www.tax.ohio.gov/ to request a transcript of your state tax return.

City: If you lived or worked within city limits you are generally required to file a city tax return. Check boxes 18, 19, and 20 on your W2 to see if local taxes were withheld and need filed. Contact information for those filing with Canton or Massillon cities: Canton – visit the Stark County Office Building at 424 Market Ave. N Canton, OH 44702 or call 330-430-7900. Massillon – visit tax department at 1 James Duncan Plaza Massillon, OH 44646 or call 330-830-1709. Other cities, please check with your local city income tax department.

Close Sample Beneficiary Designation

To designate Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio as a beneficiary of a qualified retirement plan or other financial account, please use the following information:

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio  (Tax Identification Number: 34-1595372) located at 1400 Raff Road SW, Canton, Ohio 44710

Close Sample Language for Your Will

The following language may help you and your attorney when drawing up a bequest that meets your needs.

General Bequest

If you intend to leave an outright gift of cash, securities, or other property by designating a specific dollar amount, a particular asset, or a fixed percentage of your estate to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to be used for general purposes:

“After taking care of all expenses, debts and other provisions, I give, devise and bequeath ___ percent of the rest and residue [or $___ if a specific amount] to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, an Ohio-based charitable organization [Tax ID# 34-1595372] currently with administrative offices at 1400 Raff Road SW, Canton, Ohio 44710.”

Specific Bequest

If you intend to make an outright bequest for a specific purpose, such as to support advocacy or disaster response:

“I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its charitable purposes, including but not limited to ___________ use and purpose.”

Contingency Bequest

If you wish to make a contingency gift so that Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio will receive a portion of your estate if your named beneficiary does not survive you:

“If any of the beneficiaries named in this will should die before becoming entitled to receive their distributive share of my estate, I direct my trustee to pay or transfer the share to which such beneficiary would otherwise be entitled to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio for its unrestricted use and purpose.”

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