Get Started
Start the Journey to Purchase your First Home
RootedHomes selects mortgage-ready homebuyers through a housing lottery six months before a new community is scheduled to be completed. To get started on your journey towards qualifying for the housing lottery we recommend reviewing the three qualifications below.
Income
RootedHomes uses HUD's AMI Income Limits as a criterion for selecting prospective community buyers. Our objective is to build mixed-income communities, and hence we consider applicants whose household income ranges from 40%-120% of AMI for Deschutes County.
Income qualifications are dependent on the community.View the income chart.
Education
All applicants are required to attend an information session. All selected homebuyers are required to complete additional education courses through NeighborImpact.
Finance
All homebuyers must be approved for a traditional mortgage through a lender for the affordable sales price of the home. The sales price will vary based on the community, interest rates and the size of the home. We recommend meeting with one of our Lender Partners to get Started. Mortgage-readiness can be a long journey so it's never too early to get started.
Steps to Get Started:
- Visit ’program details’ to review income, education, and finance requirements.
- Complete the short interest form to determine if you qualify as a homeowner for a RootedHomes community and to stay up to date on future housing opportunities.
- Talk to one of our lender partners about getting pre-qualified for a loan. It’s never too soon to connect with a lender and get a sense of your mortgage-readiness.
- Attend an information session to learn about the program and current communities. Check the events page for upcoming information sessions.
- When a new community becomes available, complete a full application to be included in RootedHomes’ housing lottery.
- ’Subscribe’ to our newsletter to stay up to date with new housing opportunities at RootedHomes.
RootedHomes is committed to ensuring that all people have full and equal access to our programs and services.
If you require an accommodation due to a language barrier, please contact (458) 202-4598 or info@rootedhomes.org prior to a scheduled information session or meeting.
If you require an accommodation due to hearing loss and require a TTY, VCO or Telebraille service please dial 711 to be connected to an Oregon Relay Operator. Relay Operators can then connect you to our Homeownership Program Manager at 458-202-4598.
RootedHomes does not discriminate against any person because of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Handicap, Familial Status, or National Origin.