Habitat For Humanity Baldwin County


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HOME OWNERSHIP
We help families in substandard living conditions earn decent affordable homes by providing a hand-up not a handout through sweat equity partnerships, homeowner workshops and no interest loans. Families must meet these basic criteria to apply with Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County. Applications are not available until the family has attended an application session. Application sessions are held as our resources permit and interested families should register for information about upcoming application sessions. Information will also be available on our website calendar.
	Need Total family income must fall between 25% and 65% of median income as defined by the federal housing finance board income guide limits. (see chart below) Unable to qualify for a conventional loan. Families with lower income may qualify if there is no or very low debt and they can demonstrate an ability to pay Habitat mortgage payments (including taxes and insurance) must not exceed 30% of total family gross income. Inadequate Shelter Lack of electrical, gas, water, sewage Structural problems (holes in walls, floors, roof, etc.) Housing does not meet city, county, or HUD standards The environment is hazardous to health Extreme overcrowding (based on # of occupants, ages and sexes of occupants). Ability to Pay Mortgage must not jeopardize other obligations or living expenses. Credit history of applicants will be reviewed to identify potential problems with ability to pay. From the time of acceptance as a Habitat partner, applicants must make a monthly payment toward their down payment. Down payments are 1% of the construction cost and must be paid in full prior to the house closing. The family must have a source of steady, legal income. (see chart below for guidelines) The family must make monthly mortgage payments (including taxes and insurance) on time.
Willingness to Partner with Habitat The family must work 400 hours to build up “sweat equity” towards their home: a maximum of 100 hours may be donated by family and friends on the family’s behalf. 200 hours of the “sweat equity” must be completed before ground is broken on the family’s house. All “sweat equity” must be completed before the house may be occupied by the family. Families must attend required homeowner development classes. Families must participate in the Habitat community (Family Support classes, the Homeowner’s Association, or local schools). Families must be willing to move to another neighborhood and possibly school district, depending on the location of the Habitat building site. Sweat Equity and the Building Process Minimum hours of Sweat Equity in the following areas (400 Total): 100 hours – Construction (other): The hours are earned on construction of other Partner Family houses. 30 hours – Budgeting: Partner Families must attend weekly Budgeting (Money Management) classes. Partner Families must successfully complete the budgeting program, as approved by the program chair, before being put on the construction list. 12 hours – Homeowner’s Education Work Shops: Partner Families are required to accumulate a minimum of 12 hours of Homeowner Education Work Shops 200 hours – Construction (own home): Partner Families must complete 200 hours of Sweat Equity on their own home. A maximum of 100 hours of this requirement may be fulfilled by friends, extended family of the Partner Family and PAL. 58 hours- Other: Partner families may also earn Sweat Equity by working at the ReStore, in the office, with additional construction hours or other activities pre-approved by staff. Homeowner Education Workshops These workshops prepare partner families to be responsible homeowners. We provide them the tools needed to be successful. A Hand Up… and a Heads Up Dealing with Tax Issues Legal Affairs and Insurance The Home Buying Process, Dealing with a Mortgage Home Operations, Home Maintenance Onsite Home Maintenance PALs Each partner family is assigned a PAL (Partner, Advocate, Liaison). A PAL provides support for the Partner Family throughout the Habitat process – from the time they are selected until they close on their house. The PAL is also asked to stay in touch with the Habitat homeowner for the first year after their closing. Budgeting Classes Our budgeting classes teach basic, fiscal awareness and provide our partner families the opportunity to get a handle on their finances. By helping them understand the costs involved, both long and short term in owning a home, we are helping them become successful homeowners and taxpayers. If you would like to learn more about homeownership, call us at(251) 943-7268.