Applying for partnership with habitat

At this time Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville is not accepting general applications. We do have some limited opportunities for families living in homes with no indoor plumbing. If you meet this criteria, please call our office at (434) 293-9066 and ask to speak to Shelley.

All others interested in applying for partnership should call the office and ask to be put on our mailing list. Once we begin accepting applications again, you will receive one in the mail. Do not come to the office to pick up an application as you will not receive one.

Becoming a Habitat Partner Family

Habitat is not emergency housing. It takes most Partner Families 2-3 years to become a homeowner, so you should be prepared to make a serious long-term commitment before applying.

There are three important areas that are considered in the qualification and selection process for Habitat for Humanity partner families:

• Need
• Willingness to partner
• Ability to pay for the new home

Following is more detail on the three basic criteria for partnership with Habitat for Humanity:

Need

You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Your current housing may be considered inadequate due to homelessness; structural problems with the roof, plumbing, electric or heating; overcrowding; living in a high crime neighborhood; paying too much in rent; living in public housing or receiving a Section 8 voucher. Part of the application process includes a Home Visit. Members of the Family Selection Committee will make an appointment with you to visit your home to see first hand what the living conditions are like.

Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat

When selected, you become a "partner family" in the Habitat movement. As a "partner family," you must complete a certain number of hours of volunteer work or "Sweat Equity" with Habitat. Sweat Equity may be earned by helping to build your own home as well as the homes of others; and helping in the Habitat Store or office. Partners with physical limitations will be offered appropriate opportunities to earn the required number of hours. A minimum of 200 hours for the first adult in the household and an additional 100 hours for each additional adult in the household is required.

Partners are required to attend a Homebuyer's Education Club after being accepted to prepare financially for homeownership.

Partners are responsible for maintenance and repairs of the house from the time of occupancy.

During our partnership, you will work with a Family Support Advocate who will help you make a smooth transition to homeownership. After moving into your home, the Family Support Committee will maintain an on-going relationship with you. This includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.

Since Partners buy the home from Habitat with a no interest mortgage, applicants must demonstrate an ability to make the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but also the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. We will help to determine if this payment will jeopardize the applicant's ability to meet all of the other family financial obligations and expenses.

Applicants will be required to openly and fully discuss their financial situation with a habitat interviewer. Families with a total gross income of 25% area median income will be considered. A close examination of all assets will take place during the interview. A family of 4 living in Charlottesville must have annual income of at least $18,200 gross (before taxes are deducted) in order to qualify.

Habitat does not require perfect credit. We are able to approve families with less than perfect credit histories if we see evidence of a willingness and ability to honor one's obligations and if we think that any credit problems can be brought under control by the time the applicant moves into their home.

Other Requirements

You must have lived or worked in Charlottesville or Albemarle, Greene, Buckingham or Louisa Counties for at least one year prior to applying.

Any bankruptcy must have been discharged for at least 2 years before applying.

What Habitat for Humanity will do if you are selected to become a Partner Family:

• Provide volunteer labor for the construction of the home.


• Provide you with a NO interest mortgage. This mortgage payment will be constructed to be manageable for your financial situation at the time of closing.


• Refer you to financial counseling which will enable you to provide for your family and ensure that you can repay the mortgage.


• Provide a Family Advocate to work with you and to make sure that any concerns you have regarding the building of your house are fully understood by Habitat.

Your Obligations to Habitat for Humanity if you are selected as a Partner Family:

• Habitat Partner Families must contribute to the building of other HFH partner family homes as well as their own. A minimum of 200 hours of "sweat equity" is required for the applicant plus 100 hours for each additional adult who will be living in the house.


• You must have saved $1250 by the time of closing.


• You must attend both group and individual meetings with a Habitat approved Homebuyers Club.
• You must make regular, monthly mortgage payments to Habitat once you have moved into your Habitat home.