Syracuse Habitat for Humanity (SHFH) Information

Syracuse Habitat for Humanity (SHFH) is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a non-profit ecumenical agency whose mission is to eliminate substandard housing in the world. Through 30 year interest free mortgages we allow hardworking families a chance to own a home. SHFH provides to people who do not financially qualify for a conventional mortgage. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, SHFH homes are built and then sold to partner families at no profit. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity builds its houses green with radiant floor heat, tank-less water heaters, energy efficient windows, doors and appliances. The houses are also built on the Near Westside of Syracuse where the city has issued property tax breaks for homeowners living in that part of the city. To qualify for a Habitat home, applicants must live in substandard housing currently or spend 1/3 of their income on utilities. Their income must be at 80% of the HUD median according to family size. Currently a family of four would make $51,450 dollars or less a year. Applicants cannot qualify for any type of conventional mortgage. They must not have had any bankruptcies or repossessions or foreclosures in the last three years. Applicants must be willing to work 300 hours of sweat equity on their own home. Finally, they must be willing to pay a $500 down payment on their home at closing. Our program; through low mortgage payments, low energy bills and low tax bills allows families a fighting chance to get ahead, and ultimately to share in the joy of owning their own home.