Criteria for Selection of Partner Families:

NEED

  • Income
    • Total family income must fall between 30% and 50% of median income as defined by the federal housing finance board income guide limits.
    • Unable to qualify for a conventional loan.
    • Families with lower income may qualify if there is no or very low debt and they can demonstrate an ability to pay.
    • Habitat mortgage payments (including taxes and insurance) must not exceed 20-25% of total family gross income.
  • Inadequate Shelter
    • Lack of electrical, gas, water, sewage
    • Structural problems (holes in walls, floors, roof, etc.)
    • Housing does not meet city, county, or HUD standards
    • The environment is hazardous to health
    • Extreme overcrowding (based on # of occupants, ages and sexes of occupants)

ABILITY TO PAY

  • Mortgage must not jeopardize other obligations or living expenses.
  • Credit history of applicants will be reviewed to identify potential problems with ability to pay.
  • From the time of acceptance as a Habitat partner, applicants must make a monthly payment toward their down payment. Down payments are $1,000 and must be paid in full prior to the house closing.
  • The family must have a source of steady, legal income.
  • The family must make monthly mortgage payments (including taxes and insurance) on time.

WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH HABITAT

  • The family must work 300 hours to build up "sweat equity" towards their home: a minimum of 156 of these must be completed at the work site; a maximum of 4 can be met in homeowner/community development activities; a maximum of 100 hours may be donated by family and friends on the family's behalf.
  • 150 hours of the "sweat equity" must be completed before ground is broken on the family's house.
  • All "sweat equity" must be completed before the house may be occupied by the family.
  • Families must attend required homeowner development classes.
  • Families must participate in the Habitat community (Family Nurture classes, the Homeowner's Association, or local schools).
  • Families must be willing to move to another neighborhood and possibly school district, depending on the location of the Habitat building site. Our target community is south Fayetteville.

RESIDENCY

  • The accepted family must have lived in the county for one year.
  • The accepted family must live or work in Washington County.