Photo: Alfonso Lima
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing adequate housing to those in need. Since its beginning in 1976, HFHI has built over 300,000 homes around the world. Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization and serves people of all religions, races and backgrounds. Volunteer labor, tithes from affiliates and donations of labor and money make these affordable homes possible. Homeowners become home builders, putting hundreds of hours into the construction of their own houses and homes for others.
Instructions
1. Find and contact your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Each Habitat affiliate is independent and locally run. Affiliates coordinate all aspects of qualifying and home building in their appointed areas. You can use your zip code on the main HFHI website (see Resources below) to locate your affiliate or call the Habitat for Humanity help line: (800) 422-4828.
2. Gather your financial information. You will need financial details to help show that you are qualified for a Habitat home. Organize your expenses and records of your monthly income. List all your current debts.
3. Attend the orientation. Orientation meetings are held three times each year. Attendance is the mandatory first step in applying. The basic criteria, the application process and the types of homes are all explained in these meetings. The orientation provides a perfect opportunity to ask questions. Your application will be filled out at this meeting.
4. Show your need for housing. Habitat for Humanity aims to help people with a genuine need. To qualify for Habitat housing, you will prove either that your current home is substandard, you live in an unsafe neighborhood, more than 35 percent of your income goes to rent, and/or you are living in transitional or temporary housing.
5. Prove your ability to pay. You will be responsible for the down payment---one percent of the anticipated mortgage. A small deposit is required when your application is accepted. The rest of the down payment will be due before you move into your new home. Your mortgage payments will be 25 percent of your income and will need to be paid on time.
6. Be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Your participation in building your own home and the homes of others is vitally important. Show that you will attend orientation, meet all your deadlines, complete seven and a half hours as a volunteer if your application is accepted and agree to complete hundreds of hours in "sweat equity"---joining Habitat teams in physical labor---before taking possession of your house.
Tags: Habitat Humanity, application accepted, homes others, hundreds hours, percent your, percent your income
