So you're interested in becoming a Habitat Homeowner . . .
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian organization that helps low and moderate income families build their own homes. Since 1976, Habitat has built over 200,000 homes in over 92 countries.
Habitat Volunteers from all walks of life, and all faiths, work together as partners with families who otherwise couldn't afford their own homes.
How Habitat Works
Donors and supporters of Habitat make contributions and grants and fundraisers help provide the on-going funds needed to keep the Habitat housing Program going. Houses are then built for people who do not qualify for conventional bank loans. Most labor is done by volunteers and by the families themselves. Each family will contribute a minimum of 250 hours per adult of "sweat equity" toward the construction of their home.
Business people and community neighbors contribute time and materials. When the house is completed, the family assumes a mortgage just like all homeowners. This is an interest-free, non-profit loan covering the actual costs of the house and land.
As payments are made, equity is credited to the buyer over the life of the mortgage. In addition to the mortgage, each homeowner is responsible for the insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance, and other standard expenses.
Habitat Housing Program
There are generally three things to consider to qualify for a home:
- 1. Your present house is not adequate or is not affordable for your family.
- 2. You must have the ability to make monthly mortgage payments of about the current average of $400 per month. In general, family income should be between $12,000 - $37,650 per year depending on family size.
- 3. You must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity by contributing your time and effort.
It is Habitat's intent to assist low income families in becoming homeowners. Because of this intent and the unique opportunity of 0% interest loans, we must be sure that we are serving those truly in need. At the time of application, your family income must fall within the limits listed above and will be verified.
How to apply
You may call the Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho office at 762-HOME (4663) to ask if we are taking applications. However, HfHNI will announce when we are accepting applications in the Nickel's Worth and the Coeur d'Alene Press. Flyers will also be posted throughout the community.
After the initial screening by telephone, if you meet the criteria and want to continue the application process, an orientation meeting will be scheduled to provide information, explain the application process and timelines, and to help you with the documents in your application packet.
After the period of accepting completed applications closes, a volunteer from the Family Selection Committee will review your application and contact you to schedule an interview and see if we can form a partnership.
About Money and Home Ownership
Many times we find families that can use help in budgeting and home maintenance to ensure their ownership continues satisfactorily. Training sessions such as plumbing, landscaping and budgeting are set up to support the families. In turn, Habitat expects applicants to attend those sessions.
Also, a family partner is assigned to assist newly-selected families in getting started. They mentor, advocate for their family, and find help when needed. The family partner becomes the link between the family and the Affiliate.
We want to establish a strong partnership to ensure long term success and to further Habitat for Humanity's goals of lending a helping hand up.
Partners and Friends
Habitat for Humanity means community. We hope selected families will feel a sense of partnership with all Habitat volunteers. They will participate in publicity, fundraising, planning, work parties, etc. They will be expected to participate in the construction of their house and also to help in the construction of other families' houses.
We hope partner families will help each other - sharing their concerns and problems as well as their joys and successes.
No Favoritism
The family selection process is impartial. We are looking for poorly housed people with no way to buy a home on their own, who will help build their own houses as much as they are able. We want people who are responsible and who will help spread the good news of Habitat to the rest of the community.
Patience, Patience and More Patience!
Volunteers helping to build Habitat houses have many responsibilities yet still donate their time. Often, we just do not have enough volunteers at any given time to build on a regular schedule. Many factors affect the hours that can be put in. Money donations do not always come in as fast as we would like, causing delays. The whole process will undoubtedly take longer than you expected. Please be prepared to be patient, and know that we will do our best, with God's help, to meet your expectations.
Habitat's goal is to show God's goodness by helping those who need a decent place to live. Whether or not you are selected for a Habitat house, we hope you will join us in this challenging and rewarding task.
