Habitat International

Welcome

"Homeowners frequently point past their immediate improved living conditions to the changes that Habitat so frequently means for their children and their families. Building a house with Habitat has changed what their today looks like...but the experience also has planted a seed of hope and strength within those families." Shala Carlson and WonHiew Peng - December 2006 of Habitat World

Home Ownership– how to apply

Four fundamental criteria are used to determine who is selected to be a Habitat partner.

  • Need for Shelter - The applicant's current shelter is inadequate because it is either structurally unsound, overcrowded, has unsanitary or unhealthy conditions, or the resident is paying more than 50% of household income for housing.
  • Willingness to Partner - The applicant agrees to and completes sweat equity hours and participates in the partnering program which may include financial counseling and household management education.  Acceptance of the sweat equity requirement is one indicator of an applicant’s willingness to partner with Habitat.  Rather than requiring an exact number of hours, Habitat expects the partner family to meet the spirit and intent of the requirement.  BAHfH families, designated friends, and extended family members have often completed more than 500 sweat equity hours.
  • Ability to Pay - The applicant's household income should be stable and adequate in order to take on a 30-40 year mortgage. The total monthly income of an applicant family must fall within Habitat's guidelines for affordable housing.  For example, the income range for a family of four is $24,800-$43,500. A low debt load and a good credit score are important. A homeowner’s monthly payment to Habitat includes mortgage premiums and escrow payments for home insurance and property taxes. The monthly payment is set so it does not exceed 30% of the family's annual income. The total monthly income of an applicant must fall within Habitat's guidelines for affordable housing. 
  • Residency - The applicant must have lived or worked for at least the last twelve months in Bennington County.

Home Ownership - the selection process

  • The Family Selection Committee advertises that we are looking for a family partner.
  • Once the deadline is past, the committee reviews all completed applications and then
    • Requests more information if it is needed
    • It reviews the tax return for the previous year and other material provided by the applicant to verify information on the application.
    • It checks employment references, landlord references, and credit history.
  • The Committee narrows the search to several families that best fit the criteria.
  • Arrangements are made for interviews with these families at their current residence.
  • Prior to making a recommendation to the Board, a CORI check and sex offender check is completed.
  • The last step is for the Committee to make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.

If you meet these preliminary criteria and wish to pursue home ownership through Habitat, please complete our Pre-Application Questionnaire and worksheets so that you can self assess your financial readiness to become a Habitat homeowner.  Click to download the pre-application questionnaire.  If your answers are all positive, you should then download an application.

For more information, call 802-367-1000 or use email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  Please include your current mailing address and phone number.

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