The Basics of Habitat Homeownership
Would you like to realize the dream of owning a Habitat home? If so, we are here to help you!
Applicants who meet our qualifications and are approved must then be willing to invest at least 300 hours of their time in “sweat equity.” These volunteer hours are earned by helping to build your own home and those of other families, serving in other volunteer capacities at Habitat, and attending classes that prepare you for the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home. In addition to fulfilling the sweat equity hours, these requirements provide opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and knowledge that will enrich your own experience as a homeowner.
You will receive a 20-year interest-free mortgage for which you will make monthly payments to Habitat. Your payments allow the cycle to continue, making it possible for more families to realize the dream of owning a Habitat home.
Qualifications and Requirements
If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, you might qualify to buy a Habitat home!
- Have you had steady income for the last 18 months?
- Have you lived in Forsyth County for the last 12 months?
- Is it overcrowded in your home?
- Are you living in substandard housing?
- Do you live in a crime-ridden neighborhood?
- Are you making monthly payments on all your debts?
- Are you willing to work 300 “sweat equity” hours on Habitat homes?
- Does your total family income fall within the guidelines listed below?
2006 Income Guidelines
Family Size |
Annual Income |
|
1 |
$10,175 – 24,400 |
You can either (1) fill out the Habitat for Humanity Pre-Application for Housing online form and click submit, or (2) print it out and bring it to the next orientation meeting. If you need help filling out the form, someone will assist you at the meeting.
Orientation meetings are normally held at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Habitat office, 339 Witt St.
For more information about exact dates of orientation or the Habitat program in general, please contact Mashunda Flowers at 765-8854, ext. 131, or e-mail her at mashunda.flowers@habitatforsyth.org.
Q. How may I apply for a Habitat home?
A. Download the pre-application from this site, then bring your completed application to one of our orientation meetings. Orientations are offered the second Monday of every month at the Habitat office at 339 Witt Street. Click here for directions.
Q. How long does the process take?
A. Once you are approved, you are largely in control of how quickly you complete the process. You will be required to attend classes that prepare you for home ownership and to perform 300 hours of “sweat equity.” You must complete at least half of the required hours before being assigned to a house/location.
Q. If I own my home, can I still apply?
A. No. Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County programs are only for first-time home owners.
Q. May I have a choice as to what area I want to live in?
A. You may turn down the location, knowing you will go to the bottom of the list of approved homeowners at the time and have to take the next location when it is offered.
Q. My 16-year-old is working. Will this income affect my eligibility?
A. No. Only the applicant’s (and co-applicant’s, if there is one) income is counted.
Q. May I apply if I have had a bankruptcy or foreclosure in the past?
A. Bankruptcy or foreclosure must have been discharged for at least five years.
Q. Will I be disqualified if I have a judgment against me?
A. A judgment means an automatic denial unless it is paid in full.
Q. May I have debt in collections?
A. Yes, you can have up to $2,000 in collections. Medical collections are excluded from this total.
Q. May I count child support that is not court-ordered?
A. No, child support must be court-ordered to be counted as extra income.
Q. May I apply if I am separated from my spouse?
A. Yes. However, you will be required to provide legal documentation of marital status.
Q. May I choose the number of bedrooms I want?
A. You will be able to select the house design, but Habitat will build a three- or four-bedroom house based on the size of your family. We are currently exploring other types of housing designs to better serve the needs of our families.
Q. May I apply if I have a Section 8 voucher?
A. Yes. Section 8 vouchers are neither qualifiers nor disqualifiers.
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