Program Qualifications
Who We Serve
We serve households ranging from one to eight people.
Whether you’re: a single adult, a married couple, a single parent, a couple raising children together, or a multigenerational household that includes extended family — you’re welcome to apply.
U.S. Citizenship & Fair Housing
Habitat for Humanity of Knox County follows the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on immigration status.
Local Residency
Applicants must have lived or worked in Knox County for at least the past six months.
Need for Housing
Habitat for Humanity of Knox County serves individuals and families who need safe, stable, and affordable housing.
A family may demonstrate a need for housing in several ways, including:
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Living in unsafe, overcrowded, or substandard housing (for example, problems with plumbing, heating, or structural integrity).
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Paying more than 30% of their income toward rent or other housing costs.
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Living in temporary or unstable situations, such as staying with family or friends, moving frequently, or facing the possibility of eviction.
Habitat conducts home visits and reviews financial documentation to understand each applicant’s current living situation better and determine eligibility.
Willingness to Partner
We expect all Partner Families to:
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Meet all deadlines and stay organized throughout the process.
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Attend required meetings, classes, and events related to homeownership preparation.
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Communicate openly and honestly with staff and volunteers.
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Complete the required sweat equity hours before moving into their home.
Sweat equity is the time and effort Partner Families invest in building their future home and community. This includes helping on construction sites, assisting with Habitat events, and participating in the homeownership preparation process.
Each applicant is required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity before moving into their home. Sweat equity hours should not begin until you have been officially selected as a Partner Family and have signed a Partnership Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Knox County. We understand that every family’s circumstances are unique. If you have a disability, health limitation, or scheduling conflict, Habitat will work with you to find appropriate and meaningful ways to contribute your hours. All 500 hours must be completed before closing on your home.
Ability to Pay
Partner Families purchase their homes through an affordable mortgage made possible by Habitat’s nonprofit model. Families still must show they can manage monthly payments, which include principal, taxes, and insurance.
To determine the “ability to pay,” Habitat looks at:
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Steady income from employment or other verified sources.
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Debt-to-income ratio within program guidelines.
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Responsible money management and readiness to maintain financial commitments.
Income Requirements
Each Habitat home has minimum and maximum income guidelines based on family size and local housing costs.
We consider all income sources for household members 18 years and older, including:
- Wages,
- Child support,
- Alimony,
- SNAP (food stamps),
- Social Security (SSI, SSDI, Survivor benefits), and
- TANF.
If your income falls outside the required range, you may not qualify at this time.
Credit Review
We perform a credit check to understand your financial picture.
We look for:
- Excessive debt,
- Collections or open judgments, and
- Bankruptcies or foreclosures within the past two years.
Our goal is to make sure homeownership strengthens your financial stability — not adds to your stress.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Visit our Steps to Become a Partner Family page:
Or contact us to learn more:
- Email: info@habitatknox.org
- Phone: (309) 343-2242
- Address: 808 S. Cedar St. Galesburg, IL 61402
- Prescreen: Pre-Screen Form
Habitat for Humanity of Knox County, Illinois, follows a strict nondiscrimination policy: No one will be turned away on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, political affiliation, or familial status.
