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About Homeownership

Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity provides low-to-moderate income families with a unique opportunity to build and buy their own homes. Working alongside volunteers, Habitat homeowners put in sweat equity hours as they help build their own homes. Homeowners purchase their homes and pay an affordable 0% interest mortgage. Habitat for Humanity homeowner mortgage payments are put into a revolving fund that helps pay for future houses in the northern Ocean County community.

 

 

 

 

The Homeowner Selection Committee pre-qualifies applicants in a way that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or national origin.

 

If you are an applicant with a disability and need to request accommodations to access any of our services, please contact Program Services at (732) 818-9500 ext. 102.

We are not currently accepting homeownership applications. Please contact 732-818-9500 x 102 or programservices@nohfh.com to be notified of our next open application cycle.

  • Attend an optional Homeowner Info Session (optional). These meetings are held at the beginning of each new family selection period. To register for one of these info sessions, you can email programservices@nohfh.com, call 732-818-9500 x 102, or register online. Click here to find out the Info Session dates or to register: https://northernoceanhabitat.org/programs/homeownership/?tab=upcoming-info-sessions
  • Find our Application. Applications are printed and available at the optional in-person Homeowner Info Sessions, printed and available for pickup at the Habitat Administrative Office located at 1620 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753, Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, printed and available for pickup at the Habitat ReStore at 1214 Route 37 East, Toms River, NJ 08753, Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Scroll down to access the application online.
  • Apply with all required documents by the due date (to be announced). Early applications are highly encouraged as that is an opportunity for it to be reviewed and ensured it is a completed applications. Incomplete applications will not go into review.
  • Habitat reviews your application and supporting materials to determine if you qualify for a Habitat home.
  • After an applicant qualifies financially, a home visit is conducted. Two members of the Homeowner Selection Committee will arrange a time to visit and interview the applicant at their current residence. All members of the household must be present at this meeting. The need for our housing program and the applicant’s willingness to participate are discussed at this meeting.
  • A credit check and criminal background check will be run on all household members aged 18 and above. A previous conviction may disqualify an applicant from homeownership. In determining eligibility, Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity will consider several factors. Documents outlining the policy will be provided upon request.
  • The selected partner family is notified, and all paperwork is reviewed and signed at an intake meeting at the Habitat office.
  • All fully qualified applicants are entered into a lottery for the available house(s).

Nicole

"I am a believer that God places people in your path and I am grateful for God placing such loving, compassionate people in our lives. Northern Ocean Habitat volunteers really set the bar high for the meaning of Love Thy Neighbor... Owning a house that will become our HOME would be a place where my children would have a yard, their own rooms, and a place to return to. You have forever impacted me and the lives of my children."

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Gloria

"I'm thankful for Habitat (my new found family) for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. I am thankful because this year and forever...we will have a place to call home."

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Diana

"My daughters and I have found the biggest family with Habitat. Thank you for welcoming us with so much love and taking our hands in a time of need and giving us the biggest family hug we have ever received.”

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Monteforte Family

“Having our own home will impact our lives in such a positive way. It will give us a sense of relief, stability, and reassurance. We will grow closer, having our own space to create new family traditions and build memories.”

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Habitat Ownership Qualifications

Need for Adequate housing

Potential homebuyers might be dealing with poorly made, unhealthy, or inadequate housing;
unaffordable rent; homes inaccessible for their disabilities; damaged by natural disasters; or have other shelter needs.

 

Ability to Pay for the Home

Habitat offers homebuyers an affordable mortgage. Their mortgage payments cycle back into the
community to help build more affordable homes.

 

Willingness to Partner

Habitat homebuyers put in 300 hours of “sweat equity” helping build their home. This might also include volunteering in the Restore; participation in events, PR campaigns, and fundraisers; classes in personal finances and home maintenance, and other homeownership topics.

Income Guidelines Chart (2024)

Minimum (30%)

35300

Maximum (60%)

70560

3 Persons

Minimum (30%)

39200

Maximum (60%)

78360

4 Persons

Minimum (30%)

42350

Maximum (60%)

84660

5 Persons

Minimum (30%)

45500

Maximum (60%)

90900

6 Persons

We are not currently accepting applications. Complete the interest form below and we will contact you when the next homeowner application period opens.

 

Homeownership Application Interest Form

Please read before completing this form!

This is for a future home build that will take typically take up to a year to complete. Potential future homeowners need to meet financial requirements (see application for the most recent financial requirements) and sweat equity hours for all adults living in the home. If there is an emergency housing situation, please call the Board of Social Services in your county: Ocean County 732-349-1500 | Monmouth County 732-431-6000 | Mercer County 609-989-4320
Name(Required)
Address(Required)

Income Guidelines Chart (2024)

Minimum

35300

Maximum

70560

3 Persons

Minimum

39200

Maximum

78360

4 Persons

Minimum

42350

Maximum

84660

5 Persons

Minimum

45500

Maximum

90900

6 Persons

Frequently asked questions

 

find out everything you need to know about
becoming a Habitat Homeowner

 

Interested in becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner? Below are some common questions our applicants have.

If you do not find answers to your questions below, please contact Program Services by emailing programservices@nohfh.com or calling (732) 818-9500 ext. 102.

What is the first step toward purchasing a Habitat House?

If you are interested in the Habitat for Humanity program and have reviewed the requirements to see if you qualify, the next step is to complete an application. We only accept applications when we have properties available and do not have a rolling application cycle.

 

To get information about upcoming builds and properties and when we are accepting applications, please check our website and our Facebook Page and ReStore Facebook Group, or contact Program Services by filling out a contact form or calling at (732) 818-9500.

How are the applicants selected?

Applicants will submit a completed application and supplemental documents during the open application round. Qualified applicants will be contacted for a home visit to confirm the information provided on the application and thoroughly discuss program requirements. Once all interviews are
conducted, all qualified applicants will be placed into a pool, and homeowners will be randomly selected. It’s important to note that we usually have a more significant amount of qualified applicants than homes available. The Homeowner Selection Committee pre-qualifies applicants in a way that does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, or national origin.

Will background checks be conducted?

Yes. Habitat for Humanity does background checks on all household members over the age of 18.

What kinds of houses does Habitat build?

We typically build two to three-bedroom, wood-frame houses. Newly constructed homes do not have garages, basements (unless structurally necessary), or usable attics. Habitat builds and sells affordable, decent houses.

Do applicants get to choose the location or design of the home?

No. Habitat does not build custom houses. Habitat will choose the size of the home based on the household size and makeup. We expect two children of the same gender to share a bedroom if they are close in age. The location of the house is dependent upon land acquisition and municipality partnerships. The location will usually be discussed during the homeownership application process.

How much will the Habitat house cost?

Habitat sells houses for less than market value, and the final selling price will not be determined until the house is complete. However, Habitat will ensure housing payments are affordable. Habitat partner families’ housing payments will not exceed 30% of the household gross monthly incomes at the sale.

homeowner info sessions

These are free information sessions to learn about the application process and qualifications for our new home build program. They are held at the beginning of each new family selection period. They are offered in-person at our Administration and Construction Office in Toms River or online. They are optional, but will help potential applicants learn what is involved to partner with Northern Ocean Habitat for a hand up!

 

There are no upcoming Homeowner Info Sessions.

These sessions are offered during open homeowner application periods.

I would like to be notified when the application cycle re-opens.