Apply for a Home

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry financed through private donations and utilizing volunteer labor. Our purpose is to build simple, decent, affordable housing with partner families and to sell the houses at no profit and no interest to families who could not otherwise afford a home.

To qualify for a Habitat home, a family:

1. Must have housing need. For example: no indoor plumbing, poor heating, leaks in the roof, overcrowding (three to a bedroom), unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
2. Must have lived in our service area (Davison or Hanson County) for at least one year.
3. Must have a minimum steady income, roughly 25% of the median income per household size for our service area. However, total family income should not be more than 50% of the median income per household size for our service area. (Refer to the application cover pages for current median income rates.)

After a family has applied, Habitat will verify employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, get a statement from current and previous landlords, have a credit check done, and ask for credit references.

If a family is approved for a Habitat home:

1. We will ask them to attend monthly Habitat for Humanity homeowners’ meetings and to be willing to participate in programs to learn and practice budgeting, home repair, and maintenance.
2. We will require all adult members of that household (18 years or older) to work at least 200 “sweat equity” hours as a Habitat partner before their house is completed. The total sweat equity requirement per family will not exceed 400 hours.
3. $200 will be required at the time they sign the letter of acceptance. (This amount will be applied toward the down payment.) A down payment totaling 2% of the loan amount will be due at the time of closing.
4. If a family meets the sweat equity and down payment requirements, we will sell them their home at cost. Habitat house payments include taxes and insurance; the anticipated monthly payment will be approximately $330 per month (actual cost may vary). Since these house payments are used by Mitchell Regional Habitat for Humanity to build more houses with other families, partner families must make these payments on time.

If you believe you qualify for a home according to the above guidelines, we encourage you to request an application. You can obtain one by phone (call 605-996-9068), via mail (PO Box 1331, Mitchell, SD 57301), or you can download an application in PDF format by clicking here.

All information is considered confidential and will be used for family selection only.

The application process takes between two and four months. Families not accepted may reapply for future homes. Families who have questions or need assistance in filling out this application should leave a message at 605-996-9068.