Family Partners - How To Qualify

Looking for an affordable opportunity to buy

a simple, decent home?

Family Selection Criteria

Habitat For Humanity of Eagle & Lake Counties will look at three distinct criteria when reviewing potential ‘partner families’.

The selection criteria are :

1. Your family’s actual housing need based on the suitability of your current shelter.
2. Your income and ability to pay for a Habitat house
3. Your willingness to participate as a partner with Habitat for Humanity.

Need

A. You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through conventional means.

B. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure; water, electrical, or sewage service systems; heating systems; etc. Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages and the gender of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.

C. The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is also considered to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation in a Habitat application and also with a Habitat interviewer.

Your family income must be within the 25—50 % range of the median income guidelines for Eagle County, using 2006 figures. See chart below.

Family Size                     Gross (before taxes) Annual Income

Since you will actually be buying the home from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the principal loan payment, but also the payment for real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance and a modest monthly homeowner’s association fee. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. There is no interest and zero profit on the loan for a Habitat home.

Willingness to Partner with Habitat

A. When selected, you become a “partner family’ in the Habitat ministry. To become a “partner family”, each adult member of your family must complete 250 hours of volunteer work with Habitat, which will count toward your total “sweat equity” contribution to be completed before becoming a homeowner. Up to 100 hours per adult member may be contributed by friends and family. Your assistance in constructing your home and the homes of others is called “sweat equity”, and includes a large number of hours working on the construction site, attending educational workshops and participating in volunteer appreciation activities.  There is more than enough time for committed partners to complete these hours throughout the construction season.

B. You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you move into the home.

C. Both before and after moving into the home, the Family Partnership Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you… this includes financial counseling, the legal aspect of homeownership and household maintenance education.

If you would like your name to be placed on a list of potential applicants, please call Habitat for Humanity at (970) 748-6718.

How To Apply