54 Murray Street, Trenton, NJ
Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey is now accepting applications to purchase 54 Murray Street, Trenton NJ a single-family home.
Application Deadline: May 2nd, 2025
Only complete applications, which include the application fee and ALL required documents, will be processed. If we have more applicants who qualify than homes available, applicants will be selected through a random selection process.
Download Application |
Location:
54 Murray Street, Trenton, NJ
3 Bedroom | 1 1/2 Bathroom | Laundry Room | 1,305 square feet
Household Income Guidelines:
To qualify as a successful applicant for this home, your total household annual income must fall into the range below based on your household size:
| Household Size (# of Family Members) | Minimum Yearly Household Income | Maximum Yearly Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| Household Size (# of Family Members)3 Person | Minimum Yearly Household Income$35,116 | Maximum Yearly Household Income$93,638 |
| Household Size (# of Family Members)4 Person | Minimum Yearly Household Income$39,017 | Maximum Yearly Household Income$104,043 |
| Household Size (# of Family Members)5 Person | Minimum Yearly Household Income$42,138 | Maximum Yearly Household Income$112,366 |
| Household Size (# of Family Members)6 Person | Minimum Yearly Household Income$45,260 | Maximum Yearly Household Income$120,689 |
Application Fee: $30
The application fee is $30 per applicant. The application fee can be submitted online upon completion of application.
Eligibility:
- Family size between 3-6 people
- I am a United States citizen or legal permanent resident.
- I have a credit score of 620 or higher.
- I am willing to save a minimum of $5,500
- I can provide verification that my current housing is overcrowded, unaffordable, dangerous, unhealthy, temporary, or otherwise substandard.
- My gross annual household income (before taxes) falls within the income guidelines listed below.
- If I’m employed, I have been employed in the same industry for at least 2 years.
- I have a stable source of income that I do not expect to end within the next 3 years.
- My total debt-to-income ratio is below 30%.
- If I have ever declared bankruptcy, it has been discharged for at least 3 years.
- I have not been foreclosed upon in the past 7 years.
- I have not owned a home in the last 3 years.
- I can provide proof of timely rental payments for the last 12 months.
- I plan to use this home as my primary residence for the duration of my ownership.
- All members of my household have lived together consistently for the past 12 months.
- I am willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey by volunteering my time working on the construction site, participating in homeowner preparation classes, attending meetings and events, etc.
- I do not have any unpaid non-medical collections or if I have any medical collections they are on a payment plan and current.
Required Documents
- Proof of eligibility to work and reside in United States of America
- Birth certificates and social security cards for all family members planning to live in the household.
- Driver’s licenses for all family members planning to live in household over age 18.
- Rental information
- Cancelled checks, receipts, or bank statements showing last 12 months rental payments.
- Income information for all household members age 18 and older
- If Employed– most recent 3 years W2’s and signed tax returns and 4 most recent pay stubs. (If there is an adult household member that did not file a tax return, they must submit a letter from the IRS that states there was “no record” found.)
- If Self-Employed (25% or great ownership interest in a business) – the past 3 years of signed income tax returns (both individual and business as applicable) and applicable schedules.
- Other Income – Public Assistance or Social Security, provide the award or benefit letter; Child Support and other court mandated payments like alimony, provide the court order; Unemployment or worker’s compensation, provide benefits letter.
- Verification of Custody of all children not claimed on Federal Tax Returns.
- Verification of full-time student status, if over age 18.
- Financial Information
- Copies of the last 2 utility bills (gas, water, sewer, electric, cable, phone, etc.)
- Proof of 12 months child support or alimony payment, if applicable.
- Divorce Decree or Marriage Certificate, if applicable.
- Most recent 6 months of statements for all credit card and loans, showing amounts owing.
- Most recent quarterly 401(k) or 403(b), or other retirement statement, including pension.
- Most recent 6 months of bank statements for each bank account held, jointly and or sole owner.
- Bank verification of current interest rate on all accounts, including checking, savings, CD’s, IRA’s, etc. and stock/bond statements showing current values, if applicable.
- Discharge papers if you declared bankruptcy within the last 7 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the main requirements to buy this home?
- The applicant must show a need for housing, a willingness to partner with HabitatSCNJ, and the ability to pay for the home.
- Ability to Pay – You must be within the income guidelines advertised for your household size
- Credit Score – At least a 620.
- Willingness to Partner – You must complete a pre-determined amount of sweat equity hours before closing on your home. Typically, you need to complete 12.5 hours (for a single applicant), 25 hours (for households with applicant & co-applicant) for each month you are in the Homeownership Program. This will include financial education, volunteering at one of our 4 Restores and/or working on building HFH homes.
- Need – you must have a need for affordable housing. Is your current rent unaffordable? Is your current rental substandard in structure? Are you leaving in an overcrowded situation?
- Ability to Pay – You must be within the income guidelines advertised for your household size
- The applicant must show a need for housing, a willingness to partner with HabitatSCNJ, and the ability to pay for the home.
- What type of mortgage is needed?
- This home will be financed with a low interest loan. The borrower’s monthly mortgage payment will be no more than 30% of their gross monthly income.
- Do I list someone on the application even though they are not a co-applicant?
- Yes, all people who will be living in the home MUST be listed on the application. If they are 18 years of age or older, their income (earned and unearned) must be listed.
- Can I do sweat equity hours before I am approved and will they carry over?
- You are welcomed to volunteer with us before you are approved but the hours you volunteer will NOT carry over.
- What does sweat equity mean?
- Sweat equity demonstrates your willingness to partner with HFHSCNJ. Sweat equity includes but is not limited to: taking online financial education classes, working on HFHSCNJ construction sites (possibly your own home), volunteering in one of our Restore locations and representing HFHSCNJ at events.
- If several people apply for one property, how do you choose who gets approved?
- We will hold a random selection. Those applicants that reach this point will be notified of the time and location of the random selection. Many times when a random selection is needed, this takes place virtually and everyone is invited to attend.
- If I am not chosen, do I get put on a waiting list?
- If you are a qualified applicant and you are not selected via random selection, we will keep your name and application on standby. If a selected family is deselected/withdrawals from the program for any reason, we will reference the standby list. We will also add all applicants who are not selected to our notification list. This means you will be notified when we begin to accept applications for future properties.
- Will I receive notification whether or not I qualify?
- Applicants that provide a completed application will receive some sort of notification regarding the status of their application – more information needed, you do not qualify or you do qualify. Notifications are sent via email and/or USPS.
- Can I resell the house to whomever?
- Habitat for Humanity houses are deed-restricted, meaning there is a maximum resale value and they must be sold to those who are low to moderate income.
- Will my HFHSCNJ home have a deed restriction on it?
- Yes, in accordance with affordable housing regulations, these homes will have a 30-year deed restriction.
- Can I rent out my HFHSCNJ home?
- No. Your HFHSCNJ home must be your own primary residence.
- Is this homes handicap accessible?
- Unfortunately, this home is not handicap accessible.
- If selected, when can I move into my home?
- Because the home is currently under reconstruction, closing dates are not set in stone. This depends primarily on the construction schedule and whether unforeseen delays occur. The tentative completion and move in date Fall 2024
- Are HFHSCNJ homes free?
- HFHSCNJ homes are NOT free. You must be able to qualify for a mortgage and have income to pay the mortgage every month. The sales price will depend on your TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME. HFHSCNJ will assist you with applying for a loan and finding grants to offset down payment costs and closing cost fees.
- Will my mortgage be held by Habitat for Humanity?
- Your mortgage will be held by a third party lender. (i.e. TD Bank, Columbia Bank, USDA). HFHSCNJ staff will assist you through the entire mortgage process. While we guide you through the process, it is ultimately up to you which lender you would like to utilize.
- How much money do I have to save for down payment and closing costs?
- We encourage you to save a minimum of $5,500 towards closing costs and down payment.
- I am being asked to provide a lot of paperwork, do I have to supply any other documents during this process?
- Yes! You will be required to submit additional documents during this process. During the home buying process your income, assets, and credit will be reviewed at different stages. In an effort to be prepared, keep your pay stubs, bank statements and most recent tax returns (including W2s, 1099, etc) in a binder or folder for easy access.
Questions? Need Help?
For more information, please email apply@habitatscnj.org, call (856) 484-5615, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.