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Owning a Home
How to Qualify for a Habitat Home
There are three criteria every Habitat partner family must meet to
qualify:
- Need: Applicants must be in need due to:
(a) overcrowded or substandard conditions,
(b) unreasonable housing costs in relation to gross income,
(c) physical need requirements,
(d) unable to get a conventional loan.
- Ability to Pay: The families we serve are those with an annual income below 60% of the Watauga County median income and above 30%. They also must demonstrate the ability to make monthly mortgage payments on a no-interest home loan.
- Willingness to Partner: Upon approval, applicants must work between 250-500 hours of "sweat equity". This commitment to becoming a partner with Habitat involves joining with volunteers in building your house. In addition, as a prospective partner family, you will attend homeowner and financial management trainings to help you on your path to homeownership.
2009 Income Guidelines
| Family Size |
Gross Annual Income Range* |
| 1 |
$11,800-23,600 |
| 2 |
$13,500-27,000 |
| 3 |
$15,200-30,400 |
| 4 |
$16,900-33,700 |
| 5 |
$18,200-36,400 |
| 6 |
$19,500-39,100 |
| 7 |
$20,900-41,800 |
| 8 |
$22,200-44,500 |
*Based on HUD guidelines for 30%-60% of Watauga County Median Income
If you meet these criteria please call 828-268-9545 to obtain an application.
Application Timeline
*Timeline takes approximately six months to one year to complete.
1. Family meets income guideline and requests an application.
2. Family submits full application with cover letter and
recent pay stub.
3. Family Selection Team reviews application at monthly meeting. If
application meets initial requirements, applicant is assigned to a
Family Selection Team member.
4. Family Selection Team member contacts applicant and invites
them to an orientation meeting. Applicant receives reference forms for
landlord, employment verification, income verification, and credit.
Family Selection requests credit report.
5. Complete budget counseling with assigned Family Selection
member.
6. Assigned Family Selection Team member visits the applicants'
current residence. Team member rates applicant on willingness to
partner, ability to pay and need and presents findings at next meeting.
7. Applicant visits job site and completes 10 sweat equity hours.
8. Family summary presented to Team. Team votes whether or not to
recommend applicant to Board of Directors.
9. Application presented to Board of Directors for acceptance or
denial.
10. Acceptance/Denial letter sent within 2 weeks.
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