Applicant Orientation Meeting United States Photo by Kim MacDonald Habitat for Humanity of Hood County PO Box 1866 Granbury TX

2 What is Habitat for Humanity? Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to selling affordable houses to qualified applicant families. Photo by Kim MacDonald

3 Partnership is a key part of Habitat for Humanity  Many individuals, groups, churches, companies and local organizations support and participate in Habitat for Humanity.  Homeowners are participants.  EVERYONE is considered a partner. Thousands of students partner with Habitat through Collegiate Challenge, an alternative Spring break program. Photo by Kim MacDonald

4 Why is homeownership valued?  A home provides a place for a family to be established. A home can provide safety, security, stability and hope for the future.  In our community Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people from all walks of life to develop communities with people in need by building houses so that there are decent houses in which every person can experience God’s Love and can grow into all that God intends.

5 Owning a home means…  Peace of mind  A sense of responsibility  Ruth Ward (Home owner) Photo by Erin Hooper

6 You can buy a house! Habitat for Humanity provides:  An affordable house – Habitat for Humanity makes no profit.  An affordable mortgage - Habitat for Humanity charges no interest.  Solid, reliable program – building homes in Hood County since 1996.

7 House selling price Our average cost of a 3 bedroom home is approximately $50,500.

8 Habitat for Humanity’s partnership with selected applicants Habitat for Humanity will:  Build a house in partnership with you.  Sell you the house with a no-interest loan.  Provide opportunities for you to learn the skills you will need to own and maintain a house.

9 The homeowner’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity Families who are selected to buy a home:  Must meet eligibility criteria.  Perform sweat-equity hours.  Attend workshops and classes.  Pay a down payment.

10 How does Habitat for Humanity select families?  Application process Application, credit check and a home visit.  Three selection criteria Need Ability to pay Willingness to partner Sweat equity Workshop attendance Get documents in on time

11 Steps of partnership for the homeowner  Homeowner education sessions.  Site is assigned and home is built.  Homeowner makes monthly payments.  Home cannot be rented to others.  Payments are recycled over and over.  Homeowner gains home equity over time.  A second mortgage is assigned.

12 Homeowners’ sweat equity  Our affiliate requires families to complete 300 sweat-equity hours by: Assisting with construction and/or other jobs assigned. Attending workshops and seminars. Photos by Trevor Kobrin, Kim MacDonald and Neal Gallagher

13 You may be asking yourself… How many hours a week will I need to commit to working with Habitat for Humanity? One person – 150 hours (6 hr. week) = 25 weeks Two people hours (12 hr. week) = 12 ½ weeks 50 of these hours must be on own home. Can family members or friends help with this sweat equity requirement? Yes, they can work half (150) of the hours. Volunteer child care hours can be counted. A total of 300 hours must be worked.

14 House design standards  Total square feet of houses: Two bedroom – about 914 square feet Three bedroom – about 1151 square feet Four – about 1248 square feet  Garages or car ports are not provided.  One bathroom is standard (except two bathrooms on four bedrooms).  Homeowners are not allowed to choose the location where their home is built. Habitat for Humanity is not a custom builder.

15 Typical financial obligations to buy a Habitat for Humanity house  Down Payment - Payable at closing  $  Monthly mortgage payments, including principal, taxes and insurance: $ to $450.00

16 You may be asking yourself…  Am I willing and able to save $ for the initial down payment and to pay the required monthly payments on time? Mortgage payment Utilities Property upkeep

17 Required workshops for homeowners  How to maintain your home.  Budgeting and financial management.  Preparing for the closing of your home.  Other required workshop topics. Workshops Habitat for Humanity requirements include:

18 You may be asking yourself…  Am I willing to attend workshops to learn about money management and homeownership?

19 Habitat for Humanity is committed to partnership with its homeowners The building of each home is done: With friends and family. With community volunteers. With the necessary instruction and help. Photo by Gregg Pachkowski

20 You may be asking yourself…  Am I willing to use my gifts and talents to help build others’ homes and let others help me build mine? Photo by Gregg Pachkowski

21 Eligibility  Our Habitat for Humanity affiliate has a family selection committee that uses three specific selection criteria to determine who is eligible to buy a home with Habitat for Humanity in our community. These criteria were listed earlier. Let’s review them again…

22 Habitat for Humanity’s three selection criteria:  Need  Ability to pay  Willingness to partner Let’s learn more about these criteria…

23 Need criteria (examples)  Income between $11, and $44, based on family size.  Overcrowded living conditions.  Substandard living conditions.

24 Ability to pay criteria  Must meet the yearly income requirement.  Debt must not be excessive.  No liens or judgments.  Consistent payment history.  Able to make applicable down payment.

25 Ability to pay Amount of debt compared to income How much money do I owe?  School loans  Car loans  Credit cards  Other miscellaneous bills  Store credit cards or accounts  Medical bills

26 Willingness to partner criteria  Agreement to complete sweat-equity requirement.  Agreement to attend homeowner preparation workshops.  Agreement to submit all necessary documentation by deadline date.

27 Do you understand the requirements and criteria for homeownership? Do you understand what Habitat for Humanity will offer? If you believe you may qualify, we welcome your application for housing. Let’s discuss the application process…

28 How to apply  All applicants and co-applicants must be present when applying for a Habitat house  Fill out Habitat application  Must bring copies of all required documents on or before deadline.

29 Please know that…  Some families apply several times before they become eligible.  We WANT to work with you. If you are not accepted the first time, please apply again!

30 First steps Check that:  Your name is on the sign-in sheet.  You fill out a pre-application sheet.  You have viewed orientation.  You fill out an application.  ALL paperwork is mailed to Habitat for Humanity by March 30, 2016.

31 Wait to hear from us… Make sure we can reach you by telephone!

32 Next steps  You should hear from us within 3 weeks after we receive your COMPLETED application.  Call the Habitat number, , or if you have questions.

Habitat for Humanity of Hood County Thank you for your time! Habitat for Humanity of Hood County PO Box 1866 Granbury TX