Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area builds simple, decent homes for qualified low-income families in La Crosse, Trempealeau, Vernon counties in Wisconsin and Houston county in Minnesota as a hand-up to low-income families that are unable to get a mortgage from the bank. We do not give houses away for free, but instead provide affordable and zero-interest mortgages to families that qualify. If you become involved with our Homeownership Program, Habitat for Humanity will partner with you to build a simple, decent, and affordable home. In return, you will have to give time for service work, attend homeowner education classes, and help Habitat in other ways.

Qualifications

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.​
  • You must have lived in La Crosse, Trempealeau, Vernon, or Houston county for a year before applying.
  • You cannot have had property foreclosed on for one year before applying.
  • Your total family income must fall between 30% to 60% of area median income (more information about this below)
Total family income is more than just income from employment. In addition to employment income, total family income can include child support, alimony/spousal support, social security, SSI, SSI for a child under 18, disability, and unemployment.
In order to qualify, your income must be above the minimum (30%) level and below the maximum (60%) level. Make sure that you are looking at the correct size of your household. Your household size should include all people (adults, children, and yourself) who would live in the house.
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How families are selected

1. Need for decent, affordable housing
Examples include the following:
  • Spending too much of your income on housing
  • Overcrowding
  • Living in temporary/unstable housing
  • Living in housing that is unsafe
  • Living in housing with poor living conditions such as bad heating, poor plumbing, pests, and structural problems
  • Special needs of family members is not being met by the current housing
2. Ability to pay
The family must have the means to afford a mortgage, real estate taxes, and homeowners insurance. This is generally around $550-650 a month depending on the size of the home and property taxes. Proof of Ability to Pay includes:
  • ​Steady income. Remember that income is more than just employment income.
  • Your debt and credit history will be evaluated. If you have had credit issues in the past, this does not automatically disqualify you.
    We will take into account circumstance, timing, and amount among other factors.
3. Willingness to partner
The family must show a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area. A family demonstrates willingness to partner by doing the following:
  • Turn in all application materials and other requested documentation on time.
  • Complete a minimum number of 350 hours of Sweat Equity.
  • Take homeowner education and credit counseling classes. These classes teach a variety of subjects including financial management, neighbor relations, and home maintenance.
  • Will allow family story to be publicized. Exceptions are made as needed.