Habitat for Humanity Waterloo builds affordable homes with low-income families who currently live in overcrowded and substandard housing. In order to qualify, Families must be living in either unsafe or unhealthy conditions, and/or substandard or overcrowded housing, and must also be willing to partner with Habitat by  volunteering 500 hours of "Sweat Equity" towards the construction of their home (other volunteer opportunities can be negotiated). In addition, Habitat Families must be able to afford a Habitat mortgage and not have an overwhelming amount of debt. For a more in-depth discussion of the criteria utilized to vet Habitat Families please download the Families Brochure or visit the webpage entitled "Who Qualifies."