Application Information

Only complete applications, which include the application fee and ALL required documents, will be processed. If we have more applicants who qualify than homes available, applicants will be selected through a random selection process.

In order to meet Habitat for Humanity International, local, and federal regulations, homes built by Habitat for Humanity Cape May County are only available to households that meet certain income limits. For example: to qualify as a successful applicant for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home, your total household annual income must fall into the range below, based on your household size:

• I am a United States citizen or legal permanent resident.
• I have a credit score of 620 or higher.
• I have the ability to save a minimum of $5,500
• I can provide verification that my current housing is overcrowded, unaffordable, dangerous, unhealthy, temporary, or otherwise substandard.
• My gross annual household income (before taxes) falls within the income guidelines listed above.
• If I’m employed, I have been employed in the same industry for at least 2 years.
• I have a stable source of income that I do not expect to end within the next 3 years.
• If I have ever declared bankruptcy, it has been discharged for at least 3 years.
• I have not been foreclosed upon in the past 7 years.
• I have not owned a home in the last 3 years.
• I can provide proof of timely rental payments for the last 12 months.
• I plan to use this home as my primary residence for the duration of my ownership.
• All members of my household have lived together consistently for the past 12 months.
• I am willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Cape May County by volunteering my time working on the construction site, participating in homeowner preparation classes, attending meetings and events, etc.
• I do not have any unpaid non-medical collections, or if I have any medical collections, they are on a payment plan and current.

• Completed Homeownership Program application
• Copies of driver’s licenses for everyone in the household 18 years of age or older
• Copies of all household members’ social security cards
• Copies of the 4 most recent pay stubs for everyone in the household over the age of 18

Please note:  If it is determined that your application is qualified to move on to the next step in the homeownership selection process, you will be required to provide W-2s, tax returns, birth certificates, proof of rent payments, bank statements, credit card bills, and numerous other financial documents. Also, a $20 application fee (per every household member 18 y/o and older) in the form of cash, check, or money order made out to Habitat for Humanity is required at this stage of the process.

• The application fee is $20 per household member 18 years old or older.

The application fee can be submitted in the form of cash, check, or money order. If you are submitting a check or money order, it must be made payable to Habitat for Humanity. If you meet the criteria for the first phase of the process, the application fee and further documentation will be required to move to the next phase.

• If you are eligible and qualify, please follow the application process.
  • To request an application via mail, email homeownerservices@habitatcapemay.org, or call 609-463-0244
  • Submit your completed application and all required documents in one of the following ways:
    • – Mail to 20 Court House South Dennis Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
    • – Drop off by appointment only at: 20 Court House South Dennis Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210.Call (609) 463-0244 ex.44 or 77 to set up a time to hand deliver.

• Can I email my application?
  Please mail your application to 20 Court House South Dennis Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, or drop it off by appointment only at: 20 Court House South Dennis Rd. Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. Call (609) 463-0244 ex.44 or 77 to set up a time to hand deliver.

• What is the Application Fee?
  The application fee is $20 per household member 18 years old or older. This fee is due after the initial application has been assessed and your application is deemed eligible for the next phase of the process.

• What are the main requirements to buy this home?
  • The applicant must show a need for housing, a willingness to partner with HabitatCMC, and the ability to pay for the home.
  • Ability to Pay – You must be within the income guidelines advertised for your household size
  • Credit Score – At least a 620.
  • Willingness to Partner – Your household must complete 200 sweat equity hours before closing on your home. This will include financial education, volunteering at the Restore, and/or working on building HFH homes.
  • Need – you must have a need for affordable housing.  Is your current rent unaffordable?  Is your current rental substandard in structure?  Are you living in an overcrowded situation?

• Do I list someone on the application even though they are not a co-applicant?
• • Yes, all people who will be living in the home MUST be listed on the application. If they are 18 years of age or older, their income (earned and unearned) must be listed.

• Can I do sweat equity hours before I am approved, and will they carry over?
  • You are welcome to volunteer with us before you are approved, but the hours you volunteer will NOT carry over.

• What does sweat equity mean?
  • Sweat equity demonstrates your willingness to partner with HFHCMC.  Sweat equity includes but is not limited to: taking online financial education classes, working on HFHCMC construction sites (possibly your own home), volunteering at our Restore, and representing HFHCMC at events.

• If several people apply for one property, how do you choose who gets approved?
  •  We will hold a random selection. Qualified applicants will be notified of the next steps.

• If I am not chosen, do I get put on a waiting list?
  • If you are a qualified applicant and you are not selected via random selection, we will keep your name and application on standby.  If a selected family is deselected/withdraws from the program for any reason, we will reference the standby list. We will also add all applicants who are not selected to our notification list. This means you will be notified when we begin to accept applications for future properties.

• Will I receive notification whether or not I qualify?
  • Applicants who provide a completed application will receive some sort of notification regarding the status of their application: more information needed, you do not qualify, or you do qualify.  Notifications are sent via email and/or USPS.

• Can I resell the house to whoever?
  • Habitat for Humanity houses are deed-restricted, meaning there is a maximum resale value, and they must be sold to those who are low to moderate income.

• Will my HFHCMC home have a deed restriction on it? 
  • Yes, in accordance with affordable housing regulations, these homes will have a 30-year deed restriction.

• Can I rent out my HFHCMC home?
  • No. Your HFHCMC home must be your own primary residence.

• If selected, when can I move into my home?
  • Typical move-in dates are anywhere from 6-18 months from when the family is selected. These dates are dependent on construction schedules and municipal permits.   

• Are HFHCMC homes free?
  • HFHCMC homes are NOT free. You must be able to qualify for a mortgage and have income to pay the mortgage every month.  HFHCMC will point you to a third-party lender where you can apply for a loan and find grants to offset down payment costs and closing-cost fees.

• Will my mortgage be held by Habitat for Humanity?
  • Your mortgage will be held by a third-party lender.  (i.e., TD Bank, Columbia Bank, USDA, etc). HFHCMC staff will assist you through the entire mortgage process.  While we guide you through the process, it is ultimately up to you which lender you would like to utilize.

• How much money do I have to save for the down payment and closing costs?
  • We encourage you to save a minimum of $5,500 towards closing costs and down payment.

• I am being asked to provide a lot of paperwork. Do I have to supply any other documents during this process? 
• • Yes. You will be required to submit additional documents during this process. During the home-buying process, your income, assets, and credit will be reviewed at different stages. In an effort to be prepared, keep your pay stubs, bank statements, and most recent tax returns (including W-2s, 1099s, etc) in a binder or folder for easy access.