Homeownership

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For the

Application Session

Make Your Dreams of Homeownership Come True!

Are you willing to put forth an effort to change your family's future? Habitat is looking for hard working, low income applicants who:

Are currently living in over crowded, unsafe or unaffordable housing
Have the ability to pay a 25 year, no interest mortgage
Willing to partner with Habitat by investing 250 hours per adult of sweat equity and attending educational classes.

Successful applicants will also

have lived or worked in the High Point, Archdale or Trinity Area for 1 year or longer
have acceptable credit history and reasonable debt load
have a steady form of income for at least 2 years
and be a US citizen or a legal immigrant

Income Guidelines

Family Size

Family Size

Income Range

1

$11,850 - $23,700

2

$13,350 - $27,060

3

$15,240 - $30,480

4

$16,920 - $33,840

5

$18,270 - $36,540

6

$19,620 - $39,240

7

$20,970 - $41,940

8

$22,320 - $44,640

MEET A HABITAT FAMILY

August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina changed the Gulf Coast and many lives forever. Even though we lost our home and everything we work so hard for we still had our lives to be thankful for. We evacuated to Mississippi where we thought we would be safe but this area was hit pretty hard also..We went without light and water for 2 week. We had to get water out of a well where the number of people in line was at least fifty people .The gas line was ten miles long. On the radio during all of that we were informed that New Orleans was under water and no one could come back. My life and the life of my family has altered in such a way, Sometimes it feels as if things will never be the same. I hope and pray that no one else will ever have to go through what me and my family endured. But after the stress of losing all you worked for, a since of freedom comes over you as if god has made way for a better life, full of love and good people.

Habitat for Humanity represents some of the good people here in America who believe in making a difference. The excitement of owning our own home is a feeling words can't describe, it's literally a dream come true. We're overwhelmed with joy. I never thought I would ever own a home especially after hurricane Katrina. To have a permanent place to call home, a place where our daughter can grow up in secure. We are looking forward to moving in and starting over here in High point, our new place we call home.

With that being said I'd like to thank all of the volunteers and staff at Habitat for Humanity for all they have done in helping rebuild and reshape the life of my family. Thank you all so very much.

Lionel and Wanda James

Editor's Note: In December 2009, the James Family moved into their Habitat Home!

Habitat Homeownership Frequently Asked Questions

How are partner families selected?

The affiliate’s family selection committee is responsible for setting criteria, reviewing applications and carefully selecting the families who qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home.

The committee uses a fair and impartial process. Applications are available to people in need of simple, decent, affordable shelter, regardless of their religion, nationality, race, political opinion or gender.

The committee conducts interviews and home visits to identify families in greatest needs, without discrimination or favoritism. The committee uses a clear method to determine which applications get first priority.

The board makes the final selection based upon the committee’s recommendations.

What families qualify for a Habitat for Humanity house?

Three main criteria:

· Need for decent housing (i.e., living in inadequate or substandard shelter).

· Ability to make monthly mortgage payments, and inability to obtain a conventional mortgage.

· Willingness to partner (which means the willingness to volunteer in the construction of their own home and willingness to pay back the cost of the house.)

Each affiliate has its own set of objective criteria to choose prospective homeowners.

Homeowner applicants must have income within a certain range as determined by the affiliate’s family selection committee. It is important that the homeowner family can pay for the house without sacrificing other basic necessities.

· The affiliate tries to help those families earning the lowest income of the limits set in their selection criteria.

· The affiliate designs and builds simple and decent houses so that the homeowner families can afford them.

What is sweat equity?

Once a family is selected, it is required to contribute sweat equity (or labor) in the construction of its own home (or other supporting activities) and to help other families in building their houses. The family members invest equity into their home as they actually pound nails, paint, hang drywall, etc.

A family must contribute sweat equity to reduce the cost of the house, increase the family’s sense of ownership and pride in the house, learn how to take care of its own house, and promote partnerships and sharing in the community.

There are many ways a family can fulfill sweat equity in addition to actually constructing its own house.

Examples include:

· Providing food for volunteers at the construction site.

· Carrying materials to the construction site.

· Digging the foundation and pouring concrete.

· Helping out in the affiliate office, warehouse, or bargain store.

· Helping with fundraising events.

· Attending affiliate events that raise awareness about and/or raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.

What house designs does Habitat for Humanity use?

The affiliate uses several different house plans which follow Habitat for Humanity International’s guidelines. Some affiliates allow homeowners to make minor pre-approved changes.

The mortgage includes all costs of building the house. Habitat does not give money to the homeowner.

The affiliate uses appropriate technology to build simple, decent, affordable houses. This means that the affiliate uses local knowledge to build houses with materials that are available locally and uses building methods that are easy to learn.

Where does the money from house payments go?

After the house is built, the homeowner family signs a contract. The family agrees to pay back the cost of the house in regular payments. House payments go back into the local affiliate’s Revolving Fund for Humanity and are used for the construction of more houses.