At Fox Cities Habitat, homeownership is about more than signing paperwork or paying a 0% interest mortgage. Our homebuyers roll up their sleeves, show up, and actively partner in the process through something called Sweat Equity.
Sweat equity is the unpaid time and effort Habitat homebuyers invest as they work toward homeownership. This includes helping build their own home and other Habitat homes, participating in education workshops, volunteering in the community, and supporting the Appleton ReStore. Sweat equity is not just about construction. It is about learning, growing, and preparing for long-term success as a homeowner.
“I honestly feel like I have gained so much knowledge, skills, and experience through the Habitat Homebuyer Program. Being a homeowner now, it really helped me become an even better homeowner.” – Kong, 2023 Habitat Homebuyer
Why Sweat Equity Matters
Sweat equity gives families a personal stake in their home and their future. It helps build confidence, practical skills, and strong connections with neighbors, volunteers, and the broader community. It also reflects Habitat’s belief in partnership. We do not build for families. We build with families.
How Sweat Equity Works
The number of required sweat equity hours depends on the number of adult applicants in a household.
One adult homebuyer must complete a minimum of 200 hours
Two adult homebuyers must complete a combined minimum of 400 hours
Families typically have 12 to 18 months to complete their hours. To stay on track, we recommend:
16 to 20 hours per month for one adult homebuyer
32 to 40 hours per month for two adult homebuyers
Below is a breakdown of how sweat equity hours are earned.
Required Sweat Equity– Each Habitat family completes hours across the following mandatory categories.
Initial Hours
Each family completes 8 initial hours, including:
4 hours volunteering at the ReStore
2 hours setting up a Galaxy Digital volunteer account
2 hours attending a pre-education class
Community Involvement
Hours volunteered with a nonprofit outside of Fox Cities Habitat.
One homebuyer: 8 hours
Two homebuyers: 16 hours
Homebuyer Workshops
Educational workshops focused on successful homeownership, including topics like budgeting, paying housing-related bills, lawn care, and being a good neighbor. Families also meet with a volunteer budget coach, and those meetings count toward this category.
One homebuyer: 32 hours
Two homebuyers: 64 hours
ReStore Work
Volunteer hours completed at the Appleton ReStore.
One homebuyer: 16 hours
Two homebuyers: 32 hours
Hours on Habitat Homes
Hands-on work that directly supports Habitat homes and programs. This includes new construction, Rock the Block projects, lawn or lot maintenance, serving as a meal provider, or baking cookies for volunteers. When families work on their own home’s construction site, they earn 1.5 times the hours for that time.
One homebuyer: 112 hours
Two homebuyers: 224 hours
Additional Sweat Equity– Families can earn their remaining Sweat Equity hours through any of these options.
Children’s Hours
Families can earn up to 24 hours by submitting children’s report cards.
Family and Friends
Family and friends may volunteer on a Habitat construction site and contribute up to 28 hours toward a family’s sweat equity.
Babysitter Hours
If a family member or friend babysits while a homebuyer completes sweat equity, those hours can count for 1/2 the time the homebuyers put in. For example, if a homebuyer is working an 8-hour shift on a construction site, the babysitter can bring in an additional 4 hours for a total of 12 sweat equity hours for the day! A maximum of 50 hours can be earned. Daycare and school do not qualify.
Miscellaneous
Up to 25 hours may be earned through approved tasks such as office support or yardwork at the Habitat office.
Additional Education
Up to 24 hours may be earned through approved education, such as parenting classes, higher education coursework, or specialized training or certifications.
More Than Hours Logged
Sweat equity is designed to set families up for success long after move-in day. It builds skills, confidence, and a deep sense of pride, while strengthening partnerships between Habitat, homeowners, volunteers, and the greater Fox Cities community. It’s not just about building homes. It is about building ownership, opportunity, and lasting stability for families.
