How to Qualify
The application process.
How can I get a Habitat house?
Perhaps one of the most frequently asked questions about Habitat for Humanity is, “How do I apply for a home?”
There are several steps to take to begin the process.
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A current Habitat homeowner advises applicants to be patient throughout this process and to not expect everything to fall into place at once. He further recommends being honest and specific about your needs and to be dedicated to the process. |
The realization that the building of a Habitat home is actually a partnership
between the prospective homeowner (you) and Habitat for Humanity has to take
place before any papers are filled out or any nails are pounded.
The homeowner and Habitat for Humanity bring different, but complimentary, things to this partnership.
Habitat brings materials, volunteer labor, and home-building experience.
The future homeowner brings (agrees to contribute) up to 500 hours (300 hours if a single parent) of their own time towards the construction of their home.
The homeowner must agree to household maintenance education, budget counseling and ongoing contact following the completion of the home.
Homeowners must make a modest down payment before construction begins on their home.
Homeowners must be able to make monthly mortgage payments on the home as well. Mortgage payments (at no interest) are made to Habitat and used by Habitat to build more homes.
Once the concept of partnership is clearly understood and accepted by the prospective homeowner, the application process can begin:
| 1. Pick up the application form from any Chamber of
Commerce office in Sumner County (Portland, Westmoreland, White House,
Gallatin, Hendersonville).. 2. Thoroughly fill out the application. The application asks for a lot of information and must be read carefully. Take the time to answer all questions and to sign it (incorrect or incomplete applications cause delays in the process). 3. Review your application for accuracy and thoroughness. 4. Mail in your application (address found on front of application). |
Be warned -- review of the application is time consuming for the volunteers,
sometimes taking several months. These trained volunteers, donating their time,
verify information in the application including contacting credit agencies,
employers, past employers, banks, credit unions, personal references and any
number of other sources used on the application. All information provided is
kept strictly confidential.
Habitat for Humanity is not just about building clean, affordable housing.
It is about building a partnership between the volunteers who provide their time
and resources, the surrounding community and the prospective homeowners.