NRI Applicant Eligibility Guidelines

The Habitat Whatcom Home Repair Program is funded by grants from various organizations, including local government agencies and private foundations. The program also relies on donations from individuals and corporate sponsors. Volunteers play a crucial role in the program, as they help with the repairs and renovations, keeping Habitat’s costs low. Volunteer opportunities include skilled labor, such as carpentry and electrical work, and general labor, such as painting and cleaning.

The actual cost to the homeowner will depend upon the scale of the repair project and the grants that are available to cover project costs in part or in full. A full estimate with line item costs, grant support and a proposed payment plan (if applicable) will be presented to the homeowner for approval and signature prior to the start of any work.

To be eligible for a Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County’s Critical Home Repairs program ALL of the following must be true:

• you OWN the home for which you are requesting repairs
• you OCCUPY the home for which you are requesting repairs
• the home must be in the Whatcom County limits
• you have the ability to repay Habitat for work done

To be eligible for a Home Repair project, your total household income must be between 30% and 120% of Whatcom County’s Median Income, adjusted for family size.  Your credit report will be utilized in assessing your fiscal responsibility and willingness to repay for work done.  We will look at your total income to debt ratio to make sure that the repayment amount will not put a financial burden on you and your family.  It is important to note that medical debt will be considered more leniently than consumer debt is.  Also know that it is our policy not to approve anyone with a bankruptcy during the past five years, unless due to medical debt.  In that case, there will be further inquiry. 

Please review the AMI Chart

*80-120% AMI range only currently served in our Mateo Meadows Community in Everson

Yes, Sweat Equity is required. It is calculated at 8 hours per $1,000 in repair value.

Habitat requires that families put in a certain number of “sweat equity” hours. “Sweat equity” demonstrates a family’s willingness to partner with Habitat and is accomplished by volunteering on a Habitat construction project, in the Habitat Store or office, or other approved activities. Just like with the new home construction program, 50% of your required “sweat equity” hours will need to be completed before your home improvement project can begin. To help accomplish this, 50% of your required hours can be put in by friends and family.

For example: if your “sweat equity” requirement would be 40 hours. Once 20 hours were completed construction would begin.

These steps protect Habitat’s investment in your property and the volunteer’s time and effort.

Our Home Repair Program projects fall into these four categories:

• Home preservation: Exterior work that includes painting, patching, minor repair, landscaping and replacement of exterior building materials for maintaining good or sound condition.
• Weatherization: Work done to improve the energy efficiency and indoor air quality of a structure. The scope of work of a weatherization project is defined by a comprehensive energy audit performed to determine the scope of work, and also testing of the home upon completion, and should include a homeowner education component.
• Critical home repair: Extensive interior or exterior work performed to address health and safety issues or code violations. Critical home repair includes such activities as a change to or repair of materials or components; a reconfiguration of space; a modification for accessibility; and installation or extension of plumbing, mechanical or electrical systems on an existing structure.
• Aging in Place: This category focuses on fall prevention and other home modifications to enhance safety and accessibility for elderly homeowners. The specific scope of work includes installing grab bars, repairing uneven flooring and stairs, fixing or installing handrails, clearing walkways and trip hazards, addressing lighting issues, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, installing raised toilet seats, installing non-slip flooring. These interventions aim to create a safer living environment, allowing elderly homeowners to remain in their homes comfortably and independently. See the next question to learn more about our Exterior Accessibility Packages.

Habitat will NOT perform the following:

• Aesthetic (non-critical) home improvements
• Repairs to RVs or detached garages
• Projects that would jeopardize Habitat volunteers or staff participating in the project

The following Aging-in-Place accessibility packages are base estimates only, assuming no additional repairs or modifications are required to complete the work. If structural issues, code upgrades, or site-specific modifications are necessary to accomplish the proposed tasks, the total cost may increase accordingly. 

Handrail & Step Safety Package –$1,800
Includes:

• Install or repair one full-length exterior handrail (treated wood)
• Reinforce 3–4 steps (replace treads or risers if rotted)
• Apply non-slip tread strips or paint

Modular Ramp Installation Package –$1,920
Includes:

• Install modular aluminum or pressure-treated wood ramp (4–6 ft section)
• Install edge rails for safety
• Compact site grading/prep if needed

Note: Costs can go higher for longer ramps, but this fits short entry ramps

Grab Bars + Entry Modifications Package –$1,440
Includes:

• 2–3 heavy-duty exterior grab bars (near door, on posts)
• Replace door threshold with low or no-lip version
• Widen clearances if needed (non-structural)
• Replace knob with lever handle

Porch & Stair Rehab Package –$2,040
Includes:

• • Replace/repair porch treads and stair stringers (small porch only)
  • Install handrail on both sides
  • Apply anti-slip coating
  • Add reflective tape or contrast color nosing

Entry Visibility & Trip Hazard Package –$1,560
Includes:

• • Trim/clear bushes or roots blocking path
  • Install 2 solar path lights 
  • Add handrail or grab bar near steps

Manufactured homes with a HUD approved plate are eligible, without that approval then it would be determined on a case by case basis. RVs are not eligible.

Habitat provides a hand up, 0% interest loan to assist homeowners with the necessary repairs to stay in their homes. Loans are structured so that the minimum payment is affordable to each homeowner depending upon your specific circumstances. If the total cost of the work is less than $5,000 Habitat may have you sign a Promissory Note (contract) detailing the terms of your loan agreement. If the total cost of the work is over $5,000 Habitat may have you sign a Promissory Note (contract)  detailing the terms of your loan agreement and have you sign a Deed of Trust which is recorded and states that the balance must be paid in full before the home can be sold. You’ll still need to make the agreed monthly payments. We ask that all monthly payments be set up on an automatic EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) schedule. 

Habitat performs background checks and sex offender checks on all members of the applicant family’s household who are ten years of age or older.  It is Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County’s policy not to accept any applicants who have been convicted of a sex crime and/or who must legally have their name on the national sex offender registry.  HFHWC has a strict policy regarding criminal convictions.  Anyone convicted of a felony within the last ten years, a gross misdemeanor within the last seven years or a misdemeanor in the last five years is not eligible.  If you feel that there are extenuating circumstances, especially if there is only a single offense, we encourage you to supply an explanation, and the committee will take your information into account before making a decision.  Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County will use its sole discretion when making these decisions.