Home Ownership

How does Habitat for Humanity San Francisco work?
Habitat for Humanity San Francisco (HHSF) is a non-profit organization committed to building quality, affordable ownership housing in partnership with low income families in San Francisco. Habitat homes are built almost entirely by volunteers and are funded completely by donations of money and material from the private sector. HHSF homes are sold for no profit with no-interest mortgages to selected families who partner with Habitat by investing volunteer hours known as "sweat equity" into the construction of their own homes. Monthly mortgage payments do not exceed 1/3 of a family's monthly income, and mortgage payments are used towards the construction of more Habitat homes.

How are the partner families selected?
Households in need of decent shelter apply to Habitat for Humanity San Francisco. The Family Selection Committee evaluates applicants based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.

How does the application process work?

1. During announced selection periods, interested applicants attend an informational HHSF orientation and workshop, where they will complete and submit an application. Those that pass the financial review progress to the second phase.
2. The second phase is a home visit and interview by two members of the Family Selection Committee. The purpose of the home interview is to learn more about a family's current living situation, and to become further acquainted. After these visits, the Family Selection Committee identifies the families that qualify to proceed on to the third phase.
3. At the third phase, qualifying applicants are approved for selection by the HHSF Board of Directors and become partners with HHSF. Together the families and HHSF make a "commitment to partnership".

How are families selected?
HHSF selects families on an impartial and non-discriminatory basis. Race, color, gender, national origin, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, age, religion, and disability are not part of the decision-making process.