 OWn a habitat home
Who can become a
Habitat Homeowner?
This program is designed for families who are currently living in substandard housing with no near term solutions. It is intended for families who are willing to put forth personal effort to improve their housing situation. To be a candidate for a Habitat for Humanity home, the applicant family needs to meet the following four selection criteria.
1. Currently living in Substandard Housing Housing considered substandard could be:
• Structurally unsound
• Inadequate plumbing, heating, roofing, etc.
• Overcrowded
• No home at all 2. Current Resident Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County serves families who currently live in St. Charles County and have lived here for at least the past year. 3. Family Income
The total family income must be within 25-50% of the median income in St. Charles County. For example, the income for a family of four would be $17,525 to $35,000. If selected, the family will actually buy the home from Habitat for Humanity with a "no interest" loan. The monthly payment will range between $450-$500 per month over a period of 30 years.
4. Willing to Partner with Habitat for Humanity The selected family must be willing to work along side Habitat volunteers in building their own home. They will be required to perform 350 hours of "sweat equity" which may include clearing the lot, paint, helping with construction, serving food for volunteers, or working the Habitat office. Friends and relatives may help with up to one-half of these hours.
The selected family will be required to attend at least four educational seminars conducted by Habitat's Family Nurture Committee. The family will also be expected to work with Habitat personnel to learn skills needed for home-ownership such as budgeting and home maintenance. IMPORTANT FACTS
- Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate.
- Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, began in 1997.
- Habitat houses are sold at no profit to partner families, financed with no-interest loans issued for 20-25 years. House payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more Habitat houses.
- Homeowner families are required to invest "sweat equity" labor hours into construction of their homes. Family selection is based on these principles: the need for shelter, the ability to pay, and the willingness to partner.
- Habitat for Humanity house costs are kept low through donations from individuals, corporations, churches, foundations and through the use of volunteer labor.
- Habitat accepts government funds only for the acquisition of land, street development, and utilities provided those funds do not compromise Habitat principles. No other government funding is accepted.
- Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County donates 10% of all funds raised to Habitat for Humanity International to assist with construction of Habitat homes in third world countries.
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