How to Apply for a Habitat Home  
(Check our calendar for the next informational meeting)

If you would like to learn about Beaches Habitat homeownership, FIRST read the information below.  If you have further questions after reading the information below, please complete our online interest form or call Joyce Freeman at (904) 241-1222.

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Each month Beaches Habitat holds an informational meeting inviting anyone that is interested in applying for a Beaches Habitat home to attend.  A thorough review of the Habitat program, the application process and the selection criteria are presented and all questions are answered.  At the end of the meeting applications are given to all interested parties.

Families are selected based on need, ability to pay and willingness to partner with Beaches Habitat for Humanity. More details are listed below:

Beaches Habitat Service Area
Applicants MUST LIVE or WORK within the Beaches Habitat Service Area.   Our Service area is east of St. Johns Bluff Road.  Click Here to see if you live within our service-area.
Need
Anyone living in HUD/Section 8 Housing, substandard, overcrowded or unaffordable housing will be considered for a Habitat home.

. Substandard takes into account code violations, safety, livability, stability of the structure and special needs of a family member that are not being met by their current housing.
. Overcrowded is defined as more than two people sharing a bedroom.
. Unaffordable is defined as spending more than 30% of the household income on housing.

Willingness to Partner
Willingness to partner encompasses the partner family's acceptance and support of the Beaches Habitat mission:

.  Completing the application in a timely manner.  Assistance is provided to any applicant that needs it.
.  Completing 8 hours of sweat equity as their application fee.
.  Performing 300-400 hours of sweat equity build their and other Habitat homes in a timely manner.

Income & Ability to Pay
.  Habitat partner families are low or very-low income as defined by Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
. Partner families must show an ability to repay a 30-year interest free mortgage.  The average monthly mortgage payment is $450 (subject to change) including escrows.
space

Year 2008 Income Guidelines
Based Upon A Family Size Of		Maximum Income Limit
One		$26,820
Two		$30,660
Three		$34,500
Four		$38,340
Five		$41,400
Six		$44,460
Seven		$47,520
Eight		$50,580

(Above Income Guidelines Are Subject to Change)

Overview of the Application Process

• Applicant attends an informational meeting (Click Here to check our calendar for the next informational Meeting).
  
• Applicant completes application, providing required documentation related to income, family status, etc.
  
• Applicant performs 8 hours of "sweat equity" as an application fee (this is the only application fee).  This ensures that the applicant is aware of what is entailed in the sweat equity requirement for down payment.
  
• If the applicant meets the basic requirements, a credit check and criminal records check are reviewed.
  
• Volunteers from the Family Selection Committee visit the applicant at their current residence to further ensure the applicant understands the Habitat ministry and responsibilities of homeownership.
  
• Applicant is presented to the all-volunteer Family Selection Committee for approval.
  
• Once approved, the applicant family is notified and the work to turn their dream into a reality begins.

Following Approval

Once a family is approved by the all-volunteer Family Selection Committee the team work begins.  Families begin accumulating sweat equity, by constructing Habitat homes alongside volunteers.  Sweat equity is an integral part of the Habitat ministry.  Homeowners receive training  in all aspects of construction; which in turn provides them with "on-the-job -training" useful in the maintenance of their own home.  It also enables them to see first hand the support they are receiving from the community.  

Sweat equity is part of the homeowner's down payment.  Single-parent families must perform 300 hours of sweat equity and two-parent families must perform 400 hours of sweat equity on their and other Habitat homes.  They must also pay a $500 cash down payment.

The size of the Habitat home is based on the size of the family.  Most homes are either three bedroom or four bedroom duplex homes.  A 3-bedroom/2-bath home is approximately 1,216 square feet and a 4-bedroom/2-bath home is approximately 1,349 square feet.

Homeowners are assigned building lots in the same order in which they are approved.  At the appropriate time in the construction process the homeowner is asked to select carpet and flooring colors, countertops, cabinets, vanities and siding colors.

Once the home is completed a closing is scheduled.  The average closing costs are $2,500 per house; this cost is paid by Beaches Habitat and added to the interest-free mortgage.

Habitat partner families receive more than a home.  They receive the training and education necessary to transition from renting to homeownership.  In addition, Beaches Habitat offers a variety of  educational programs for the Habitat youth.  Visit the Youth and Educational Programs section of our web site for more information on homeowner and youth educational programs.

If you would like to learn more about homeownership, call us  (904) 241-1222 or complete the online interest form and we will contact you before we have our next meeting.