Become a homeowner through

partnership with Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity York County is accepting applications for 2 homeownership opportunities in our 5 home project on Island Ave in Sanford!

Applications will be accepted from March 3rd to April 17th. Applications can be downloaded, or paper copies can be picked up at the Kennebunk ReStore (123 York St, in Kennebunk).

Download the Island Ave Homeownership Application

Build Brighter Futures

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Habitat homeowner. We believe that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.

To carry out our vision, we partner with individuals and families from the application through construction to when the keys are handed over. By working with Habitat from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance, upkeep of homes, and much more.

Habitat’s path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. This helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.

Habitat homebuyers pay 29% of their gross income in a monthly mortgage payment.

Habitat houses are modestly sized. They are large enough for the homebuyer's needs, but small enough to keep construction and maintenance costs affordable. Habitat for Humanity uses quality, locally available building materials. Habitat home designs reflect the local climate and culture.

Island Ave Homes

Homeownership Program Qualifications

To qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home you must:

1. Live or work in York County, Maine for at least a year.

2. Fall within the income guidelines based on your household size.

3. Being willing to complete 200-400 hours of sweat equity on the build site or at the Kennebunk Restore.

4. Have a need for safe and affordable housing.

5. Have a minimum of $2,000 in savings

6. Have a minimum credit score of 660

*if you currently own a home you are not eligible to purchase a Habitat for Humanity home

*Debt to Income: Habitat for Humanity partner families must have a debt to income ratio 14% or under.

How to Apply

1. Watch the informational video and include the code from the video on your application.

2. Complete the application in its entirety.

3. Include proof of all household income (2 months of your most recent pay stubs, proof of SSI, child support, Section 8, SNAP, HEAP, SSI, and any other supplemental income received).

4. Include bank statements for checking and saving accounts for the past 2 months. If there are two applicants, Habitat will need statements from both applicants.

5. Include payment for a credit check, checks and money orders should be made out to Habitat for Humanity York County. $25 for a single head of household, $50 for two heads of household.

Informational Video For Homeownership (spring 2026)

Income Guidelines

Household Size

1

2

3

4

5

6 Minimum Household Income

$50,000

$51,300

$57,712

$64,125

$69,262

$74,400

Maximum Household Income

$59,850

$68,400

$76,950

$85,500

$92,350

$99,200

Income guidelines are subject to change. The listed income guidelines are for the Spring 2026 Island Ave Homeownership Opportunity.

Credit Reports

If you apply for a Habitat for Humanity York County home, Habitat will do a credit check. Habitat requires a minimal fee to offset the cost of the credit check. The fee is $50 for two heads of household and $25 for one head of household. Habitat looks at credit history during the application process. Your debt to income ratio, charge offs, and other credit factors will be reviewed.

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the measure of how much of your monthly income goes to paying debt, including loans and credit card payments. To calculate your DTI, divide your total monthly debt payments by your gross monthly income.

Debt to Income: Habitat for Humanity partner families must have a debt to income ratio 12% or under.

Willingness to Partner

Every Habitat homeowner is a partner in Habitat's mission. Homebuyers agree to the following partnership commitments:

Complete 200-400 hours of sweat equity, time spent volunteering on your home, and at the Kennebunk ReStore
Complete required homebuyer education courses
Timely communication during the application process
Pay monthly mortgage on time without default
Be respectful neighbors and community members
Maintain the home and property in good order and appearance
Participate in Habitat events and media requests

Application Process

1.

Phase 1 Application

Complete the phase 1 application, provide proof of income, bank statements and the credit check fee.

2.

Committee Review

The family selection committee reviews all phase 1 applications to see if initial program qualifications are met.

Applicants will either move to the next step of the process or will be sent a denial letter.

3.

Phase 2 Application

Applicants who meet the qualifications of the phase 1 application are invited to fill out the phase 2 application.

Applicants attend an in person meeting to review required documents with a member of the family selection committee.

4.

Home Visit

A home visit is scheduled to determine the applicants need for housing and willingness to partner with Habitat.

5.

Final Committee Review

The committee will review all applications and home visits from Phase 2. Using a comparative points system a partner family will be selected. Applicants might be asked to create a household budget.

6.

Board Review

The selected applicant's information will be presented to the Board of Directors for final review and approval. If approved the applicant becomes a Partner Family.

Please note that the application period can take up to two months after the application deadline.

Applicants not initially selected may reapply again. All information is considered confidential, and is to be used only for the purpose of selecting qualified families for homeownership.