HABITAT HOMEOWNERSHIP

Quotes from Habitat Homeowners:

"All I wanted was to give my family a safe, warm place to live and now I can do that. It just goes to show that when you get caring people together as a community, anything can be done."

"Habitat is the best thing that ever happened to my family- we have a home. It's like a dream come true."

There are 4 basic qualifications to become a Habitat homeowner:

1. Families must be in need of simple, decent and affordable housing.
2. Families must be able to pay the no-interest mortgage.
3. Families must be willing to develop a partnership with Habitat and complete specified hours of sweat equity.
4. Family/individual must be a resident of Nodaway County for 6 months.

All prospective home buyers must attend an Informational Meeting before filling out an application.  At the orientation prospective homeowners will learn:

• what Habitat is about
• where and what type of homes we build
• what is involved in becoming a Habitat homeowner, sweat-equity requirements
• the steps to take to continue the home-buying process
• comparison of buying a Habitat home and purchasing one on the open market
• application process

Sweat-Equity

Future Habitat homeowners are required to contribute hours of sweat equity-time spent on Habitat for Humanity of Nodaway County projects.

Whether it's working on their own home, or on the homes of other future Habitat homeowners, applicants contribute toward our mission of building decent, affordable housing.

Sweat equity reduces the monetary cost of a house and increases the personal stake of each family member in their home. There is a strong sense of empowerment in knowing that the home is not a handout or a gift, but rather something they have earned themselves - with the help of a team of caring friends.

That sense of empowerment, a simple acknowledgement of the individual dignity of each person, is perhaps Habitat's greatest strength.

Information Needed:

Applicants must also be prepared to provide the following information to be considered as our next Habitat family.

• A credit check will be done on applicant and co-applicant.

• Income information including check stubs, child support income, Social Security or SSI income, Veteran's, etc.

• Any liens or judgments against an applicant will disqualify them from becoming a Habitat homeowner.

• Current and previous landlords.

• Current and previous employers.

• Most current check and savings account information.

• List of Assets.

• Income tax returns for the last 2 years.

Steps in the Family Selection Process:

1. Attend Information Meeting and pick up Application packet.

2. Attend Application Workshop if assistance is needed and turn in application will all required information.

3. Family Selection Committee will review applications and contact applicants about scheduling home visits.

4. After all home visits have been completed, the committee will vote for the family which they feel will be the best candidate for the Habitat home.

5. The committee will then recommend this family to the Board of Directors.

6. Once the Board has accepted the decision, families not chosen will be contacted.

7. The family who is chosen will sign the Letter of Acceptance and commit themselves to becoming our next Habitat homeowner.

8. A Family Advocate will also be assigned soon after the family is chosen.

Sample 3 bedroom floor plan:

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