Home Ownership

Family Selection Criteria

1.  Need
You must demonstrate that you have a need for adequate housing. Your current housing must be inadequate. Some of the things that are considered inadequate are:

• Structural problems
• Plumbing problems
• Heating problems
• Electrical problems
• Overcrowded
• Unaffordable

LAHFH also looks at how affordable your current house is.

2.  Ability to Pay
You will be buying your home from LAHFH, so you must show your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. The mortgage payment includes:

• Principal payment
• Real estate taxes
• Insurance

You must be willing to openly discuss your financial situation with members from the Family Selection Committee. You are required to pay a down payment that will not exceed $750.

In order to qualify, your yearly family income must fall within these guidelines:
1 person - $15,600 - $25,950
2 person - $17,800 - $29,700
3 person - $20,050 - $33,400
4 person - $22,250 - $37,100
5 person - $24,050 - $40,050
6 person - $25,800 - $43,050
7 person - $27,600 - $46,000
8 person - $29,400 - $48,950
(figures for 2014)

3.  Willingness to Partner
We don’t build a house for you; we build a house with you. As a partner family, you must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity”. Sweat equity includes:

• Your help in building your home
• Serving food to volunteers
• Working at other LAHFH events

You must also:

• Make payments on time
• Be a good neighbor
• Be a responsible homeowner

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.

For further information contact: Tom Hice, Family Services Director
tom.hice@lakesareahabitat.org   Phone: 218-828-8517