House Plans

All new Habitat for Humanity homes built in Michigan must comply with the standards and criteria adopted by the HFHM Board of Directors in order to participate in programs that are offered through Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.

Habitat homes that are built with the intent of using Down Payment Assistance, Softwood Lumber Agreement, Prison Build Products, or other programs and grants must comply with these requirements.

To determine if house plans meet the current criteria, affiliates can self-verify house plans using the HFHM House Plan Verification form. For more information, please visit the House Plan Verification page.

 

  • The living space provided—excluding stairwells (except to a basement) and exterior storage—should not exceed*:
    • 900 square feet for a two-bedroom house with 1 bath
    • 1,070 square feet for a three-bedroom house with 1 or 1-1/2 baths
    • 1,230 square feet for a four-bedroom houses with up to 2 baths
      *note: Additional square footage is allowed only to the extent necessary to make exterior dimensions even increments 
  • Homes should not have garages or carports.   
     
  • Each house should have a covered primary entrance.
     
  • Plan shows at least one no-step entrance from an accessible route, including:
    • Threshold of less than ½ inch shown on at least a 36” wide door at a no-step entry  
    • A minimum 5’ x 5’ landing at floor level shown outside the no-step entry   
    • A navigable route leading to the no-step entry not steeper than 1:12   
       
  • The plan shows that :
    • Hallways without doors are at least 3’-4” wide rough frame to rough frame 
    • Hallways with doors into rooms are at least 3’-7” rough frame to rough frame 
       
  • The plan shows all doorways on the main floor to be at least 36 inches wide. 
     
  • The plan shows at least one half-bathroom on the main floor with:
    • A clear floor space of 30 by 48 inches centered on and contiguous to the sink that IS NOT encroached by the swing path of the bathroom door. 
    • A sink and toilet that allow for parallel or head-on approach by a person in a wheelchair with a clear floor space that is at least 30 by 48 inches  
       
  • Environmental controls—including light switches and heating and cooling controls—must be located:
    • At least 18 inches above the finished floor 
    • No more than 48 inches above the finished floor 
       
  • Blocking is shown and noted on the plan to be installed for future grab bar installation:
    • No less than 33 inches and no more than 36 inches above the floor   
    • Extending 48” along the side and 42” along the back of the toilet 
Further adaptations may be needed if a family member requires assistive devices. Please see our accessibility page for additional information.

Questions, comments, or concerns?  Please email the us at tphillips@habitatmichigan.org

All of the above house plan requirements are directly derived from the documents below: