Pink door with Habitat keychain in lock

Homeownership

Partner Family with kids and Habitat staff at closing

We Empower Through Shelter

Habitat Greater Fort Wayne partners with hard-working, low- to middle-income families, helping them build and purchase their own homes. After each Habitat home has been built it is sold to a Habitat Partner Family who takes on the mortgage with an affordable monthly payment.

  • success rate

    92%

    92% success rate ​for families who complete the Habitat GFW program​.

  • increased savings

    100%​

    100%​ of families are able to increase their cash reserves throughout the Habitat GFW program.​

  • higher net wealth

    400%

    U.S. homeowners have an average net wealth that is 400% higher compared to renters with similar demographics and earnings

  • Our grandchildren know they have a place to come home. Before, everything seemed so temporary. The foundation we laid here helps my family be more stable.

    – Regina, Habitat Homeowner

  • This is our dream

    Kolling Family

    “Having somewhere to call home that is exclusively ours has always been a dream for me and my husband. Giving our children stability is ultimately the most important part.”

    – Kandi, Habitat Partner Family

  • Our first home together

    Katie and daughter

    “My daughter and I are already dreaming of how we’ll decorate our first home for Halloween and Christmas next year.”

    – Katie, Habitat Partner Family

  • Creating generational wealth

    Joseph and sons cutting ribbon to new home

    “My boys will never worry about having a place to stay. I’m working hard so they have better opportunities — I want them to have better than I have. I will kick down those doors so they can walk through them.”

    – Joseph, Habitat Homeowner

Program Details

  • Homeowner Advocacy

    Habitat walks alongside qualified families through a holistic home-buying process.​

    • 12-18 month program​
    • Focus on creating sustainable and independent homeowners​
    • Affordable mortgage payments from homeowners help​ fund more homes

  • Habitat Homes are Not Free

    • 250 hours sweat equity
    • 8 financial and homeowner education classes
    • $1,000 toward home purchase
    • 1 affordable mortgage

  • Sweat Equity

    • 100-150 hrs on the build site​
    • 10+ hrs at the ReStore​
    • 50 hrs at a local non-profit​
    • 30+ hrs completing financial and homeowner education classes

  • Homeownership + Financial Literacy Classes

    • $ management + savings planning​
    • Building + maintaining good credit​
    • Understanding mortgage and insurance terms + requirements​
    • Home maintenance processes​
    • Organizational skills​
    • Proper home security + fire safety

  • One-on-One Meetings with Homeowner Services Team

    • Guide families through the home-buying process​
    • Monitor sweat equity hours​
    • Provide advice​
    • Assist in establishing and prioritizing goals
Hand next to pen and paper on table

Applications for
Allen + Huntington Counties are Closed

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Learn More

  • Become a Homeowner

    Jessica holding keys to her new Habitat home

    Learn more about what it takes to complete the Habitat Homeownership Program and how to apply.

  • Inside a Habitat Home

    Front of house

    Browse photos and amenities of Habitat GFW homes and view our current floorplans.

  • Where We Build

    Habitat Home Coming Soon Sign

    See where we’re building in the Greater Fort Wayne area and learn about our build history.