Eligibity

FAQ

Eligibility and Qualifications  

  • Affordable, energy efficient homes built to local and HFH International standards, and customized to the partner family’s needs.
  • Habitat Homes are made affordable because of:
    • Sweat Equityparticipation by the homeowners
    • Both volunteer and skilled crews
    • Donated materials
    • Zero interest mortgages

Prospective homeowners are selected based on need, the ability to pay a mortgage and willingness to participate in building their home.

 

How to qualify for a Habitat House:

  • You have financial need, if any of these apply:
    • Have been denied a conventional or government assisted mortgage.
    • You are a current occupant of government assisted housing
    • Your rent and utilities (phone excluded) exceed 30% of your take home income
  • Your current accommodations are inadequate, unhealthy or unsafe
  • You are a resident of Walworth County and have been for at least six months prior to application
  • You have sufficient family income to support a mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance and utilities. (Current “2018” HFH/Walworth homeowners pay an average of $475 per month including mortgage and real estate tax expenses….though costs vary depending on family needs and the specific home design).
  • You are willing to invest Sweat Equity in the purchase of your home, and be a vital part of your local community
  • Meet the following income guidelines, adjusted from HUD, April 2018:

 

FAMILY SIZE

1 person

2 person

3 person

4 person

5 person

6 person

7 person

8 person

Income Above

$15,700

$17,950

$20,200

$22,400

$24,200

$26,000

$27,800

$29,600

Income Below

$31,380

$35,820

$40,320

$44,760

$48,360

$51,960

$55,560

$59,100

These are 2018 figures announced by HUD effective April 1, 2018.

Do you need a down payment?

Sweat Equity and $500 (refundable at closing) is the down payment that is required for a habitat home. Adult family members contribute 250 hours each to the build (construction, community service or simple project support can apply). Children twelve and over, subject to limitations, can contribute; relatives and friends can contribute up to one half of the needed hours. HFH/Walworth tracks the Sweat Equity investment.

Habitat for Humanity’s core concept is to offer a partner family the opportunity to build their own equity.

“Sweat Equity” is the labor that HFH partners invest in the building of their home. The new homeowners become partners in the process of building their own affordable home. Sweat Equity progress is the best predictor of a partner family’s success in the program; prompt completion of the Sweat Equity commitment leads to timely payments and well-kept homes. A Habitat homeowner working together with diverse volunteers and meeting future neighbors connects quickly with the local community.

This home is more than a house. It is a home with love, built with love and hope and dreams, because of Habitat for Humanity. You’ve given our family hope—no matter how bad things get or have been in the past. God has blessed our family with the caring, supportive, concerned, kind people at Habitat.

– a Habitat for Humanity partner family

Application Process:

Applications are being accepted by HFH in Walworth County now through 1/30/2019, for a build in the Village of Bloomfield. If you apply for this build:

  • You must attend a mandatory meeting at the Advia Credit Union, 837 N Wisconsin St, Elkhorn, WI. on:
    • Monday January 14that 6:00pm OR Saturday, January 19that 9:00am
  • Applications are available:
    • At the orientation meetings
    • On our website
    • Call 262-949-0542 to discuss the application and receive a copy
    • Write to P.O. Box 174, Lake Geneva, WI 53147
  • Applications must also include (copies please, save your originals):
    • Federal tax returns (form 1040) for the past two years
    • Pay stubs for the last two pay periods
    • Current bank statements, both checking and savings
    • Current benefit statements (SSI, SSDI, Food Share, Section 8 Housing, etc.)
    • Child support court order and payment history for the past two years
    • Name, address and phone number of your current landlord
    • Proof of residency and eligibility to work in the US
    • Your willingness to submit to a credit and civil/criminal background check
  • Members of the HFH/Walworth Family Selection Committee will be available (either at the orientation meetings or by phone) to assist in timely completion of the applications, and to address any questions. Applicants who initially fulfill the eligibility criteria will be interviewed. The Family Selection Committee may also require a home visit.
  • The Family Selection Committee will review all completed and eligible applications and make anonymous recommendations to the HFH/Walworth Board of Directors, who in turn will choose the successful applicant.
  • The approved applicant will be contacted to arrange an Acceptance Letter Meeting, and to meet with their Family Advocate. The Sweat Equity commitment and housing options will be discussed.
  • The intent is to break ground in Spring of 2019! HFH in Walworth County anxiously looks forward to working with their next partner family!

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