Family Selection Criteria

Dreaming of owning a home?

Habitat could be the answer.

To determine if you might be eligible for the Habitat program, please take a few minutes to review this information and answer the qualifying questions.

Have you been unable to qualify for a conventional mortgage loan?

If you already own a home or can apply for a mortgage loan from a lender, you are not eligible for Habitat’s program. Ownership of a mobile home with little or no value would not exclude you from the Habitat program.

Are you employed or have another steady source of income?

As a homebuyer it is important that you have a stable income. You need a steady work history and need to be employed with the same employer for at least 6 months. If you have income from sources other than employment such as SSI, you may still be considered.

Have you established good credit over the past 24 months?

Since acceptance into the Habitat program means you are buying a home, your application is actually a mortgage loan application. As part of the evaluation process, a credit check will be made and will be evaluated on the basis of your repayment history for accounts that you have. Before applying for the Habitat program, we strongly recommend that you check your credit status and work with a credit bureau to clear up any errors or misinformation that might be in your report. Applicants whose credit report indicates prompt payments during the past 12 months will be given first preference. Only families who demonstrate the ability to repay the mortgage in a timely manner and have no liens or judgments are accepted.

Does your annual total household income from all sources and from all wage earners living with you, fall within the following ranges*?

Family Size	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

Minimum	$13,900	$15,900	$17,850	$19,850	$21,450	$23,050	$24,600	$26,200
Maximum	$23,150	$26,450	$29,750	$33,050	$35,700	$38,350	$41,000	$43,650
* As of March 2008

Are you free of judgments & liens?

Filing for bankruptcy does not disqualify families from the Habitat program, but it is required that the bankruptcy be fully discharged by the court for a minimum of 3 years at the time of application. Applicants need to have a current record of good credit, be free of liens and judgments and have a demonstrated history of making payments on time.

Are you presently living in substandard housing?

Your current housing must have one of the following conditions:

· Unsafe & defective physical conditions

· Overcrowded

· Temporary housing

· Cost burdened—cost of rent plus utilities is greater than 50% of family’s monthly income

Are you willing to have Habitat committee members visit your current home, verify your income and complete background checks?

Part of the application process requires a home visit by the selection committee and background checks .

Is each adult in your household willing to do volunteer service (sweat equity hours) in the process of building your home over the next 12-18 months?

Consider that this may involve 20-30 hours per month of extra work in addition to your current employment. Homeownership is only offered to families who are willing to work with the Habitat program.

Are you a permanent resident of the United States?

Applicants are assuming responsibility for a 20 year or longer mortgage and must be able to continue to live and work in the US

Are you and your family willing to participate in a highly publicized program?

Your name and pictures may be used to promote Habitat’s program in the media.

Thank you for your interest in partnering with Habitat for Humanity. The next step is…

· Call the Habitat office, 477-9184, and ask that your name & address be added to the mailing list to be invited to the next Family Selection Informational Meeting.

· Application forms are given out at the informational meeting which every applicant is required to attend.

· Meetings are usually held twice a year in the spring & fall.

· Please keep the Habitat office informed if your address changes before you have been invited to attend a meeting.

Homeowner selection criteria will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.


88888888888888888888	Lincoln / Lancaster County HFH	Tel: (402)477-9184 Fax:(402)477-9190
	144 North 19th Street	E-Mail: llchabitat@alltel.net
	Lincoln NE 68503