Getting a Habitat home can be a long process; sometimes up to two years from the time that you first contact us. But the rewards of owning your own home that you build with Habitat for Humanity are worth the wait. Habitat homeowners save about $80,000 on their home over non-Habitat homeowners. Plus, you'll own your own home, building your future instead of someone else's. Habitat home ownership may give your family hope for the future by providing financial breathing room by reducing your current housing costs. So hang in there and come to the informational meeting when we send you the invitation (or check our event and meeting calendar for the next Home Owner Applicant Information Meeting). In the meantime, we would encourage you to volunteer with us; there's no better way for you to find out if you want to be a part of our program. And if you're willing to help others then others will be more willing to help you when the time comes. Also, we encourage you to not disqualify yourself after reading what it takes to qualify for a home; practically everyone living in a Habitat home in St. Clair County didn't originally think that they would qualify for a home either.

Qualifications
You must meet the following criteria to be eligible to purchase a home form Habitat for Humanity of St. Clair County.

NEED (AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS MUST BE PRESENT)

• Inadequate Shelter
  
  1. Inadequate current shelter because of problems with heating, water, electricity, or maintenance.
     
  2. Inadequate number and size of bedrooms as determined by the number of persons in the household as well as the age and sex of these household members. For example:  adolescent girls and boys sharing a bedroom or adolescent children sharing a bedroom with very young children, or babies, would meet this criterion.
     
  3. Unsafe conditions. Lack of access to safe yard, street, and egress from present home. Physical environment problems such as hazardous or toxic materials.
• Inadequate Resources
  
  1. Lack of personal resources to buy, rent, or build adequate shelter; and
     
  2. Inability to qualify for a VA, FHA, conventional or government loan.

INCOME:  ABILITY TO PAY (ALL SIX REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET)

1. Fall within Blue Water Habitat for Humanity of St. Clair County's income guideline, which is between 25-50% of median income, adjusted for family size and updated annually. (SEE CHART BELOW)
   
2. Record of stable employment and/or other income for one or more years.
   
3. Enough income to pay house payment, insurance, taxes. You must also pay for utilities and all maintenance and repairs.
   
4. Ability to pay a down payment of $700 (one-time expense).
   
5. Projected housing expenses will be less than or equal to 30% of gross monthly income.
   
6. Existing long-term debt is less than or equal to 40% of gross monthly income.

Note:  Household income may be threatened by home ownership. Example: Rent subsidies and welfare payments may cease if you own a house.

PARTNER WITH HABITAT: (YOU MUST BE WILLING TO DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING)

• Eagerness
  
  1. Application requirements readily fulfilled
     
  2. Willing participant in the home visit
     
  3. Willingness to participate in Habitat functions
     
  4. Attendance and participation in information meeting
• Acceptance
  
  1. Of sweat equity and its demands:  300 Hours of "Sweat Equity" (volunteer labor) per adult member of the household, of which at least 50% must be spent doing construction, unless special circumstances dictate otherwise (i.e. disability).
     
  2. Of Habitat's house design criteria
     
  3. Of financial responsibility of home maintenance and care.
     
  4. Of the importance of monthly payments withou default.
     
  5. Of the expectations of the letter of acceptance.
     
  6. Of Habitat's need for willing and active partners.

If you would like to learn more about Homeownership, call us 810-985-9080 x204 or complete the online form and we will contact you.