Apply for a Home

Program Overview
The NOAHH homeownership program brings the dream of homeownership to those whom homeownership was only ever a dream. The program helps hard working, low-income families and individuals own a new home by using volunteer labor and sponsorships to keep housing affordable. Habitat homeowners come from a wide variety of professions and backgrounds, from hospitality workers to musicians, from retirees to nurses, from pipe-fitters to social workers. Anyone can apply to be a homeowner.

If you are approved into the program, you will partner with NOAHH to build a home which will be sold to you at 0% interest and with no financial down payment. Your down payment will instead be paid through “sweat equity” hours. During “sweat equity,” you will help work on your own home, as well as others, and learn about the home-owning process. Our program not only helps you buy a home, it helps you keep one.

Our houses are 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and about 1,100 square feet.  Floor plans are determined by the real estate department based on lot size and zoning. You will have the opportunity to select colors for exterior paint, carpet, vinyl flooring, and countertops.

The general sale price for a NOAHH home is $80,000.  NOAHH finances this loan through a 20, 25, or 30 year no-interest mortgage.  Most of our homeowners pay between $550 and $650 a month for their house payment. This INCLUDES the cost of homeowners’ insurance, flood insurance, property taxes, and a termite contract. That is less than most people pay for rent! Our organization makes no profit from the sale of the homes—all of the money paid for the homes goes into a fund to pay for other Habitat homes.

NOAHH continues to build in Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard parishes, with a focus on the 7th ward, 8th Ward/ St. Roch, Upper 9th Ward, Central City, Carrollton and New Orleans East.

What are the qualifications?

1. Income within our guidelines (in addition to wages, we count food stamps, court ordered child support, social security, pension, etc.)
2. Ability to repay a loan (good or no credit and low monthly debts)
3. Willingness to partner with our program (good communication, attitude, and initiative)
4. Need for shelter (structural problems, overcrowding, neighborhood concerns, cost burden)
5. You must have lived or worked in the greater New Orleans area for at least 1 year

Income Requirements: You must be between 35% and 60% of New Orleans median income
Household Size	Minimum Yearly Income	Maximum Yearly Income
One	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$25,700 ($2,142/month)
Two	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$29,400 ($2,450/month)
Three	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$33,100 ($2,758/month)
Four	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$36,700 ($3,058/month)
Five	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$39,700 ($3,308/month)
Six	$19,200 ($1,600/month)	$42,600 ($3,550/month)

What are the requirements if I am selected into the program?

1. Sweat equity – 350 hours of labor (primarily construction) takes the place of a down payment
2. 1st year escrow deposit totaling $2700, $225 per month for 12 months (this covers homeowners’ and flood insurance, taxes, and termite contract)
3. Homeowner education – 4 classes, counts for 25 hours of the 350 sweat equity hour requirement

The application process typically takes 3 to 6 months and it typically takes between one to two years to be placed in a house.

Please call our office to receive more information or to schedule an intake appointment at 504-861-2077!