QUESTION: Who qualifies for a Habitat house?

A family will be considered for a Habitat house only if they meet three basic criteria:

a. Need

b. Ability to pay

c. Willingness to partner with Habitat

The family is considered in need if their present housing is not adequate, and if such adequate housing is not available through conventional means. Lack of adequate housing includes, but is not limited to, lack of structural integrity; violations of existing building codes as they pertain to plumbing, electrical systems, heating and cooling systems; or eminent threat of property condemnation.

The size of the family and the family income will also be considered because they relate to the attainability of adequate housing. In all cases, the family’s income must not exceed 60 per cent of the Area Median Income (AMI) as defined by HUD. The 2007 income limits are as follows:

Family size 1 2 3 4 5

60% of AMI 23,050 26,300 29,600 32,900 35,550

Families must demonstrate their ability to make monthly payments on their mortage, including real estate taxes and insurance payments, without jepordizinf other family financial obligations and needs. Families are expected to have a monthly income equal to at least four times the anticipated monthly mortage payment, which includes the traxes and insurance escrow, along with the principal payment. The current monthly mortage payment is approximately $350.

Families selected for Habitat homes must be willing to partner with Habitat and are required to work a minimum of 350 sweat equity hours for a single adult partner family and 500 sweat equity hours for a two adult partner family. Sweat equity hours include, but are not limited to, working on construction of houses, working at the Home Store, and participating in educational workshops to help them prepare to be homeowners.

NOTICE: The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that administers compliance with this law concerning this creditor is the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580.

Revised 4/1/07