There Must Be A Demonstrated Need In Order To Qualify For A Habitat Home


Need is determined by a family’s current living conditions.

Some examples of need are outline below (this list is not all-inclusive).

Structural/mechanical problems in building

visible holes or large cracks
leaks, hazardous/toxic materials
electrical problems
plumbing problems
appliances not working

Inadequate sleeping arrangements

more than 2 persons share a room
different gendered children sharing a room
persons having to sleep on the floor

Unsanitary conditions or health risks


bugs
rodents
sewage problems
stairway in disrepair
allergy concerns

Temporary or transitional housing

family currently living with relatives
family in emergency shelter
homelessness

Current housing does not meet the physical needs
Unable to obtain a conventional mortgage

Ability to pay is determined by information provided and collected during the application process.

Information on the paper application, pay stubs, benefit statements, previously filed federal tax returns, and credit reports are examples of the resources used to determine this ability.

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:

a steady, reliable source of income and demonstrate financial responsibility
the ability to pay a monthly house payment at approximately 25% of gross monthly income (taxes and insurance included)
the ability to pay projected monthly utilities (electric/gas & water/sewer)
NOT have filed for bankruptcy within the past 2 years
NOT have outstanding collections, liens or judgments that cannot reasonably be paid by the completion of the home build

All applicants must provide documentation of residency and eligibility to work in the US.

One of the following documents is accepted as proof of both residency and eligibility:

US Passport
Permanent Resident Card
Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
Foreign Passport with temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa
Unexpired Employment Authorization Document with a Photo ID (Form I-766)
Unexpired Foreign Passport with Form I-94
Passport from Federated States of Micronesia or the Republic of the Marshall Islands with Form I-94 or Form I-94A indicating nonimmigrant admission under the Compact of Free Association Between the United States and the FSM or RMI.

If one of the above cannot be provided, one document from each category below is required:


Category 1

Driver’s License
Federal, State, or Local Government ID Card
Voter’s Registration Card
School ID card with a photograph
Native American tribal document
U.S. Military identification card/ Military Dependents ID card
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
Canadian Driver’s License

Category 2

Social Security Card
U.S. Birth Certificate
Certification of Birth Abroad (Form FS-545)
US Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)
Resident Citizen ID Card (Form I-179)
Unexpired Employment Authorization by Dept. of Homeland Security
Native American tribal document
Certification of Report of Birth (Form DS-1350)
Native American Tribal document
Employment Authorization document issued by the Dept. of Homeland Security

A partner family must be willing to complete “sweat-equity” hours.

“Sweat-equity” is when a partner family takes part in building their own home and other Habitat homes and may include activities such as clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, working in the Habitat office, or other approved activities.

A two-adult household is required to perform a minimum of 500 hours.
A single-adult family is required to complete 250 hours.
A portion of the sweat equity hours can be completed by family and friends.
All of the hours must be completed before the partner family can purchase the home.
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In addition, the partner family must also be willing to attend home buyer education classes.