Homeownership

Through our homeownership program, we sell homes to hardworking people at an affordable price. Applicants are considered for selection for a Habitat home based on a clear need. 

Homeowner Selection Criteria

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity considers three main factors when selecting future homeowners: Need, Willingness to Partner, and Ability to Pay.

Need

Applicants must show a need for better or more affordable housing. This need may be based on several factors, including:

  • Living in a home that is unsafe or in poor condition.

  • Living in subsidized housing.

  • Having problems with heating, water, electricity, or plumbing.

  • Not having enough bedrooms for the number of people in the household, based on their ages and other household needs.

  • Living in a home that is not accessible to a household member with a disability or physical limitation.

  • Spending more than 30% of the household's gross monthly income on housing costs.

Other factors may include safety concerns in the neighborhood or surrounding area, or living in temporary or transitional housing.

Willingness to Partner

Flatirons Habitat is built on partnership. Future homeowners work alongside volunteers and staff to help build their homes and prepare for homeownership.

As part of this partnership, homeowners agree to:

  • Complete at least 200 hours of sweat equity. Sweat equity means contributing time and effort to help build your home and support the Habitat community.

  • Attend budgeting and other classes that help prepare them for homeownership.

  • Share their experiences as Habitat homeowners to help others learn about the program.

  • Provide updated financial documents when requested throughout the program.

Flatirons Habitat can make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities to help them complete their partnership requirements.

Ability to Pay

Applicants must show that they have reliable income and can afford the monthly costs of owning a home.

To be considered, applicants must:

  • Show a stable income history. This may include employment, self-employment, or other reliable sources of income.

  • Show that they can afford the estimated monthly housing payment, including principal, interest, property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any homeowners association (HOA) fees.

  • Meet Flatirons Habitat's income and debt requirements.

Flatirons Habitat uses the following guidelines to determine whether a household can afford a home:

  • The monthly housing payment should not be more than 30% of the household's gross monthly income (income before taxes and other deductions).

  • The monthly housing payment, combined with other monthly debt payments, should not be more than 42% of the household's gross monthly income at the time of purchase.

These guidelines help ensure that homeowners can manage their monthly payments while also meeting their other financial responsibilities.

If you meet the basic application criteria

If you meet these basic criteria and would like to learn more, please continue to the Homeownership Orientation.

Application Process

Applications are NOT accepted on a rolling basis

To receive an email when the next application period opens, please complete the Homebuyer Interest Form at the bottom of this page.

When applications open, people who have completed the interest form will receive an email with information about the upcoming project, the homes being built, application requirements, important deadlines, and instructions for applying.

What to Expect During the Application Process

When an application period opens, applicants should be prepared to complete the following steps.

1. Complete the Homeownership Orientation Course

Complete the required Homeownership Orientation Course (see instructions below).

Be sure to download and save your certificate of completion. You must include this certificate with your application.

2. Complete the Online Application

Use the link provided during the application period to access the online application portal.

Complete the application and submit all required documents by the stated deadline.

Depending on the application requirements, documents may include:

  • Six months of bank statements.

  • Two months of recent pay stubs.

  • Federal income tax returns for the most recent two years.

  • Identification documents and taxpayer identification information, such as a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

  • Statements showing current debts and financial obligations.

  • Other documents needed to review your application and confirm program eligibility.

Applicants will receive a list of required documents and a deadline for submitting them. The standard time allowed to submit documents is usually 30 days.

3. Participate in the Selection Process

The application and selection process may take several months.

During this time, the Homeowner Selection Committee may contact you to:

  • Request additional information or documents.

  • Ask questions about your application.

  • Schedule an interview.

Please check your email and other contact information regularly. Respond to requests by the deadlines provided.

If you need more time or accommodation to take part in the process, please contact Flatirons Habitat.

4. Review and Agree to the Partnership Requirements

Applicants selected for the program will have an opportunity to review the Partnership Agreement with Flatirons Habitat for Humanity.

This agreement explains the responsibilities and expectations of becoming a Habitat homeowner, including the commitments you make as part of the partnership.

5. Prepare for Your Home Purchase

Being selected for the program does not mean you will move into a home right away.

After selection, there are additional steps to complete before purchasing your home. The home must also be constructed.

Depending on the project, construction may take an additional 6–12 months.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Taking part in the Homeownership Program is voluntary.

You may withdraw your application or leave the selection process at any time before purchasing a home. Simply notify Flatirons Habitat for Humanity of your decision.

Accessibility & Equal Opportunity

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity is committed to providing equal access to its Homeownership Program.

Reasonable accommodations are available to people with disabilities so they can take part in the application, selection, and homeownership processes.

If you need an accommodation or help accessing program information, please contact Flatirons Habitat for Humanity.

All applications are reviewed using established program requirements and selection criteria. Flatirons Habitat follows applicable fair housing and nondiscrimination laws.

Need Help?

If you do not have internet access or are unable to complete the online orientation, Flatirons Habitat will offer in-person orientation sessions during the first four weeks of the application period.

Please contact Flatirons Habitat for information about available sessions and how to attend.

Homeownership Orientation

As part of the application process, you must complete the Homeownership Program Orientation.

This orientation explains what to expect when partnering with Flatirons Habitat and what is required of future homeowners.

Follow these steps to complete the correct orientation:

  1. Visit the Homebuyer Education Center.

  2. Select the Students tab in the upper-right corner of the page. This will take you to the Student Dashboard.

  3. If this is your first time using the website, select the green Register Here button near the middle of the screen.

  4. Complete the registration form. When asked about your area of interest, select Boulder/Broomfield, CO.

  5. Once registered, select the Select Class link.

  6. Scroll down until you find Orientation: Flatirons Habitat for Humanity.

  7. Complete the orientation and download your certificate of completion. You will need to submit this certificate with your application.

SMS Text Messaging Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 24, 2026

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity ("Flatirons Habitat," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This SMS Text Messaging Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you opt in to receive text messages from us.

Information We Collect

When you opt in to receive SMS messages, we may collect:

Your mobile phone number, Your name (if provided), Message content exchanged between you and Flatirons Habitat, Date and time of messages

We do not collect financial account information through SMS.

How We Use SMS Information

We use your mobile number to send:

Application reminders, Document notifications, Program updates, Appointment reminders, Important housing-related information. Message frequency varies.

Consent to Receive Text Messages

By providing your phone number and opting in, you agree to receive SMS messages from Flatirons Habitat for Humanity. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply.

Opt-Out Instructions

You may opt out at any time by replying STOP. After you send STOP, you will receive a confirmation message and no further messages will be sent. For assistance, reply HELP.

You may also contact us at:

Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
5353 Manhattan Circle, Suite 201
Boulder, CO 80303
Phone: 303-447-3787
Email: avarner@flatironshabitat.org

Data Sharing

We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number or SMS consent with third parties for marketing purposes. We may share information only with service providers who assist in delivering SMS communications or when required by law.

Data Security

We implement reasonable safeguards to protect your information. However, SMS transmission is not fully secure.

Policy Updates

We may update this policy periodically. The most current version will always be posted on this page with the effective date.

Interested in a Habitat Home?
See if you might qualify here.

All active emails in our database will receive details about the project and instructions for next steps in the application process. This will occur when the application process starts for the next project.