Questions
Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough
Building Shelter
Volunteer Questions
If you are looking to bring a group you just need to submit the group form above and someone on the team will reach out to you. If you still have questions, feel free to contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@habitathillsborough.org.
Each volunteer shift will list a minimum age, but in general our minimum age standards are: 14+ with a parent at the ReStore and some Special Events or 16+ without a parent; 16+ at Construction and Home Preservation (with restrictions); 18+ all restrictions to sign up are removed.
No, it is important for our teams to plan their day and tasks by knowing how many volunteers they should expect ahead of time. On top of that, the liability waiver is built into the online sign up system and any volunteer who doesn’t sign up ahead of time may be turned away or at the very least hold up everyone else from starting.
No! You can sign up online and start at the first available shift. In areas like Construction. Home Preservation your comfort and skills will determine what tasks you are placed on, but our team is always patient and loves teaching you some new skills.
When you arrive on site, there will be a short safety briefing after all volunteers have signed in. People should use their best judgement and instincts and if anything makes you feel unsafe don’t do it!
Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough will provide all tools and personal protective equipment. If you prefer to wear your own gloves, hard hat or use your own tools, you are welcome to bring those along with you. Please make sure to clearly label these items.
The ReStore operations are inside so weather is never an issue there. For all other projects work will continue on-site unless determined otherwise by staff. It is very rare that a workday is cancelled. If we must cancel a workday, group leaders and all individual volunteers will be contacted immediately.
HomeOWNERSHIP Questions
No. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough works to acquire affordable residential buildings lots throughout Hillsborough County. We offer home sites as land opportunities become available to us. **Veterans are urged to apply through the Veterans Initial Screening Form
No down payment is required. However, future homeowners are required to play closing costs and work Sweat Equity, which is each future homeowner's investment into their property.
Sweat Equity is the actual physical labor that future homeowners work building Habitat homes or volunteering in the Habitat ReStore or Habitat administrative offices. There is no monetary value to Sweat Equity. It does not qualify as down payment. Sweat equity is intended to contribute to three fundamental goals in the Habitat program: 1. Partnership; 2. Pride in ownership and 3. Development of skills and knowledge
No, but decent or repairable credit is important. Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough examines the credit history, rather than just a credit score. The limit for non-medical collections is $1,500 total. Non-medical collections must be paid off prior to closing. Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough does not consider medical collections unless a single collection is $2,000 or more.
Bankruptcies must be discharged for at least 48 months
Habitat considers what shows up on a credit report: revolving credit (credit cards), car loans, student loans, any other type of installment loan, etc. We don’t consider car or life insurance or child care.
No! Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. The 3 areas which Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough considers for eligible applicants are 1) Housing Need; 2) Ability to Pay and 3) Willingness to Partner.
Since the mission of Habitat Tampa Bay Hillsborough is to provide access to affordable home financing, we serve applicants whose total household income falls below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and slightly above the minimum AMI as defined by HUD. Eligibility for the Habitat Homeownership Program is different than the Ability to Pay.
Please visit the Homeownership page on this website, where you can submit an initial application online.
The Habitat Homeownership Program may take up 12 to 18 months from the Initial Screening Form and Homeownership Program Application to purchasing a home.