Family Selection

You will be considered for a Habitat home if your current housing is inadequate. Habitat considers housing inadequate if the structure of the home has problems or if the home's plumbing, heating and/or electrical systems have problems. Habitat looks at the affordability of the current housing and the space available to the to the family members living in the present home. The Family Selection Committee will conduct a home visit if all requirements are met to determine a family's need for housing.

Since you will be buying your home from Habitat for Humanity, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but also the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. You will be asked to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with members of the Family Selection Committee during the application process.

We use 30-50% of the medium income as our general guideline. In order to qualify, your family income should fall within the amounts listed below:
1 person - $11,900 - $19,850
2 person - $13,600 - $22,700
3 person - $15,300 - $25,500
4 person - $17,000 - $28,350
5 person - $18,350 - $30,600
6 person - $19,700 - $32,900
7 person - $21,100 - $35,150
(figures for 2008)

At the closing of your mortgage, you will be required to pay a down payment of 1% of the total value of your house (not to exceed $750).

When selected, you become a "Partner Family" in the Habitat for Humanity movement. Your help in constructing your home and the homes of others is called "sweat equity". Sweat equity may include clearing the lot, helping with construction, painting, serving food to volunteers or working at other Habitat functions. There are many ways to get in your sweat equity hours! As a partner family you must complete 300 hours of sweat equity.
All members of your family may be asked to have their name and photo used in publicity, including, but not exclusive to local newspapers, radio, and the Affiliate newsletter.

Once moved in, you will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of your house. We also hope and believe you will want to continue being a part of the miracle of Habitat for Humanity.

"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, or national origin.”

Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity uses an annual application process to reach out to, and locate, eligible families in need of simple, safe, decent, affordable housing. Information and application meetings are held throughout Half’s service areas of Cass and Crow Wing counties one time per year. At those meetings representatives of LAHFH present information about Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity, and also about the application process and how a family may qualify. Applications are made available at those meetings.

Applicant families will be required to fill out and return the application by a deadline. Information that must be included with the application will include income verification, tax returns, a statement regarding the families’ need for housing, and a credit report.

For Further Information Contact: Kevin Pelkey, Executive Director
kevin.pelkey@lakesareahabitat.org    Phone: 218-828-8517

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