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FAQFrequently Asked Questions for Homeowner Applicants
Completed LHFH Application for Housing $5 application fee PER APPLICANT ($5 for single applicant, $10 for co-applicants) W-2 forms for most recent tax year (if applicable) Tax return for most recent tax year (if applicable) Paycheck stubs for past 2 months (if applicable) Government assistance award letter(s) (if applicable) for:
º Social Security benefits
º Food Stamps benefits
º SSI/SSA benefits Court order for alimony and/or child support, documenting amount received Verification of any other regular income received Name and address of landlord(s) for at least the past year Name and address of employers for at least the past year Photocopy of signed and valid Social Security card Photocopy of unexpired driver’s license or state-issued photo ID
How does the selection process work?
The Committee will evaluate your financial eligibility. This consists of obtaining documentation (see list below), verification forms, and a credit report to learn about your credit situation. Close attention is paid to outstanding collections, debts, and any unpaid judgments or liens (judgments and liens must be satisfied before a family can purchase a home). The Committee is looking for you to show adequate, reliable income (see Family Selection Criteria ) to be sure you are ready for the financial responsibility of home ownership. If you meet income and financial requirements, there may be a home visit. Here the Committee is looking for your need for housing and willingness to be an active partner with Habitat throughout the program. The Selection Committee then determines your eligibility and presents recommended families to the LHFH Board of Directors for approval.
What if my credit report shows outstanding collections, debt, bankruptcies, judgments, or liens?
We do not look for perfect credit. We consider your whole picture and look for applicants who are ready to accept the responsibility of home ownership. At the same time, we do not want to put you in a home that you cannot afford or in a situation where you cannot be a successful home owner. We are unable to partner with applicants who have outstanding judgments or liens. If you have filed bankruptcy in the past, we look for it to be at least two years ago, and for a good credit history since the bankruptcy was discharged. We require you to have a plan on how you will resolve any outstanding collection or past-due items.
What can I do to prepare for applying?
You are highly encouraged to develop a plan of action to resolve outstanding credit issues.
If you would like to get a head start, you can begin to clean up your credit report, and seek free financial counseling. You may access a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
How long does the process take?
Habitat is not a quick housing solution. The process from beginning to moving into the home can take from 6 to 12 months or more, depending on available funding and construction schedules. After you have submitted an application, it takes one to three months to go through the selection process. Once approved for the program you begin earning your Sweat Equity hours by contributing to the construction on others’ homes and saving for your down payment. It takes, on average, 6 months to complete the requirements.
What does “need for housing” mean? “Need for housing” can mean a few different things. If the Family Selection Committee determines any of these apply, you meet this requirement. Substandard Housing: Has issues that create health and/or safety problems (mold, unsafe neighborhood, poor heating or plumbing, etc.), has too few bedrooms for the number, ages, and gender of household members, or is inaccessible for handicapped/disabled family members Temporary Housing: Temporary living arrangements or transitional/subsidized housing Housing that is too expensive: greater than 30% of the income is being spent for total housing costs (rent and necessary utilities, i.e., water, sewer, trash removal, gas and electricity). Unsafe: Neighborhood that is unsuitable or unsafe for family members, especially children and/or elderly/disabled individuals
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat Equity is the time and effort you contribute toward the purchase of you home through the construction of others’ homes as well as your own. It is a central principle in Habitat’s mission of building community and partnering with families to provide “a hand-up, not a hand out!” Following approval of the Board of Directors, you must complete the required number of sweat equity hours, but more important than the number of hours, is your consistent, active participation on the construction site. In fact, most families far exceed the minimum required numbers of hours (300-500 hours, depending on household size). If family members are unable to work on an active construction site due to disabilities, staff will arrange for other opportunities through which to fulfill the Sweat Equity requirement. Friends and family that you recruit may donate the hours they work for Habitat toward a portion of your Sweat Equity requirement. If you would like to help at the construction site as a general volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator by phone at (337)261-5041 or by [ email ] .
How much does a Habitat home cost?
Habitat homes are sold to partner families for no-profit, and they are financed with a 0% interest mortgage (usually for 20 years). The costs of the homes vary, but the average cost is $70,000-$75,000. The monthly mortgage payments average $350-$450, and include an escrow for homeowners insurance and taxes. We require a down-payment to be made before closing on the mortgage. The down-payment is $1,200. It is applied toward your homeowners insurance and taxes for the first year.
What is a Habitat home like?
LHFH, with its partner families, builds simple, decent, affordable houses. We are not a custom builder, and do not accept requests from partner families for special features or extras, unless required because of a special-needs/disability circumstance.
LHFH homes include the following: 950-1,150 square feet of living space, including porch Handicap visit-able, can be made accessible with minor alterations Two+ bedrooms, depending on family size, with closets in each bedroom Eat-in kitchen, with standard built-in cabinets, countertops, and double-bowl sink Living room One to two bathrooms with fixtures, depending on family size Steel entry doors with deadbolts Residential vinyl flooring Electric water heater, central heat and air conditioning Electric range, Refrigerator Washer-dryer hookups (electric dryer only) Ceiling light fixtures & fans Vent/light combination in bathrooms Blinds in bedrooms only Two+ telephone jacks Category 5 wiring (for cable TV/Internet) One covered stoop at front entrance Low-maintenance vinyl siding Architectural-grade shingles Insulated windows with screens Lot dressed to drain One detached storage shed
Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer Special doors or trim work Special cabinets Garage or carport Fences Concrete patio Window treatments Furniture
What is the first step toward Habitat home ownership?
The process of home ownership begins by submitting an application during an open application session. See the Apply for a Home page to see if we are accepting applications at this time. You can give us your name, mailing address, and phone number by [ email ] or call the office 337-261-5041 to receive an information packet.
What documents are required to apply for a Habitat home?
º Social Security benefits
º Food Stamps benefits
º SSI/SSA benefits
How does the selection process work?
The Committee will evaluate your financial eligibility. This consists of obtaining documentation (see list below), verification forms, and a credit report to learn about your credit situation. Close attention is paid to outstanding collections, debts, and any unpaid judgments or liens (judgments and liens must be satisfied before a family can purchase a home). The Committee is looking for you to show adequate, reliable income (see Family Selection Criteria ) to be sure you are ready for the financial responsibility of home ownership. If you meet income and financial requirements, there may be a home visit. Here the Committee is looking for your need for housing and willingness to be an active partner with Habitat throughout the program. The Selection Committee then determines your eligibility and presents recommended families to the LHFH Board of Directors for approval.
What if my credit report shows outstanding collections, debt, bankruptcies, judgments, or liens?
We do not look for perfect credit. We consider your whole picture and look for applicants who are ready to accept the responsibility of home ownership. At the same time, we do not want to put you in a home that you cannot afford or in a situation where you cannot be a successful home owner. We are unable to partner with applicants who have outstanding judgments or liens. If you have filed bankruptcy in the past, we look for it to be at least two years ago, and for a good credit history since the bankruptcy was discharged. We require you to have a plan on how you will resolve any outstanding collection or past-due items.
What can I do to prepare for applying?
You are highly encouraged to develop a plan of action to resolve outstanding credit issues.
If you would like to get a head start, you can begin to clean up your credit report, and seek free financial counseling. You may access a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com.
How long does the process take?
Habitat is not a quick housing solution. The process from beginning to moving into the home can take from 6 to 12 months or more, depending on available funding and construction schedules. After you have submitted an application, it takes one to three months to go through the selection process. Once approved for the program you begin earning your Sweat Equity hours by contributing to the construction on others’ homes and saving for your down payment. It takes, on average, 6 months to complete the requirements.
What does “need for housing” mean? “Need for housing” can mean a few different things. If the Family Selection Committee determines any of these apply, you meet this requirement.
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat Equity is the time and effort you contribute toward the purchase of you home through the construction of others’ homes as well as your own. It is a central principle in Habitat’s mission of building community and partnering with families to provide “a hand-up, not a hand out!” Following approval of the Board of Directors, you must complete the required number of sweat equity hours, but more important than the number of hours, is your consistent, active participation on the construction site. In fact, most families far exceed the minimum required numbers of hours (300-500 hours, depending on household size). If family members are unable to work on an active construction site due to disabilities, staff will arrange for other opportunities through which to fulfill the Sweat Equity requirement. Friends and family that you recruit may donate the hours they work for Habitat toward a portion of your Sweat Equity requirement. If you would like to help at the construction site as a general volunteer, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator by phone at (337)261-5041 or by [ email ] .
How much does a Habitat home cost?
Habitat homes are sold to partner families for no-profit, and they are financed with a 0% interest mortgage (usually for 20 years). The costs of the homes vary, but the average cost is $70,000-$75,000. The monthly mortgage payments average $350-$450, and include an escrow for homeowners insurance and taxes. We require a down-payment to be made before closing on the mortgage. The down-payment is $1,200. It is applied toward your homeowners insurance and taxes for the first year.
What is a Habitat home like?
LHFH, with its partner families, builds simple, decent, affordable houses. We are not a custom builder, and do not accept requests from partner families for special features or extras, unless required because of a special-needs/disability circumstance.
LHFH homes include the following:
LHFH houses DO NOT include:
What if I don’t know anything about construction?
We do not require any previous skills or knowledge. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which you work with your family, friends, and community to build other peoples' homes as well as your own. We have fully-trained staff and long-term volunteers who are eager to teach you the skills you need to be successful on the construction site. Working alongside volunteers and future neighbors to build your home and community is one of the most unique, empowering, and rewarding aspects of Habitat for Humanity.
If I’m denied, can I reapply?
Absolutely. If denied, we encourage you to improve your eligibility and reapply. If you need help finding community resources, the Family Services staff can refer you to tools and resources available to help you improve your situation. Some of our partner families were denied the first time they applied due to outstanding collections and debts, income below our limits, recent bankruptcies, or other issues. They successfully improved their eligibility, reapplied, and were accepted into the program.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.
