Affordable
Housing
Habitat for Humanity believes that building a home does more than just put a roof over someone's head.
In adequate, affordable housing:
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Parents can provide stability for their children
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Health, physical safety, and security improve dramatically
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Educational and job prospects increase
Housing has the power to transform communities by:
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Attracting economic investment and development
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Contributing to thriving schools and community organizations
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Building social stability and security through safe homes and neighborhoods
What does it take to be
Habitat Homeowner?
Need
Families must be living in inadequate housing and not able to obtain a standard home loan.
Ability to Pay
Families must have a stable income, an acceptable credit history, and not have excessive debt. Income eligibility guidelines can be found below.
Willingness to Partner
Families must put in "sweat equity" to build their and other Habitat families' homes and attend homeowner education classes. They must be responsible neighbors and have shown that they are financially accountable by having made regular payments to landlords, utility companies, and other creditors.
Application Process
Eligibility Requirements:
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Ability to pay- Gross Household income that is between 30% and 60% of median income for Douglas County (see table below), record of stable employment for one or more years, positive bill pay history, and no bankruptcy within the last 3 years.
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Need- More than 30% of gross monthly household income is being spent on rent or house payments, problems with heating, water, electricity, structural defects, maintenance, overcrowding, etc.
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Willingness to Partner- Willing and able to attend homeowner education classes and complete sweat equity hours.
Household Size Income Range
1 $19,890- $39,780
2 $22,710- $45,420
3 $25,560- $51,120
4 $28,380- $56,760
5 $30,660- $61,320
6 $32,940- $65,880
7 $35,220- $70,440
8 $37,470- $74,940
Equal Opportunity
Lawrence Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, national origin, family status, or marital status, or because all or part of income is derived from any public assistance.
Partnership
Building a home with Habitat for Humanity is a partnership. Habitat makes a mortgage loan to our homeowners, but we're not a typical mortgage lender. Our home loans are interest-free, and our homeowners pay only for the cost of construction since labor is donated by volunteers.
When a family or individual is selected to become a Habitat homeowner, a Family Partner is also selected to become a friend who will guide the future homeowner through the process of learning to build their house, and then take care of it. The hours the family spends building their house and helping other families build homes, is what we call "sweat equity." Each adult family member is required to work at least 200 hours of sweat equity before the completion of their home.
Habitat families are also asked to participate in spreading the Habitat mission. Because we rely heavily on donations to pay for building materials, our families pay a vital role in the in telling the Habitat story to the community.
What does a Habitat house cost?
The cost of a Habitat house is dependent on the fair market value and the family's gross income. A 25-30 year interest-free mortgage is broken down to monthly payments (including taxes and insurance) that are less than 25% of the family's gross income. The family is responsible for closing costs of $1,200, due when the house is complete and the mortgage is signed.
Habitat houses are designed to be simple, decent and affordable
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The number of bedrooms is determined by the size of the family, and children who are the same gender and within three years of age of one another share a bedroom.
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Homes are built to accommodate any special needs of the family. For example, some homes are wheelchair accessible with a walk-in shower instead of bath, wider doorways, etc.
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Homes are built to be long-lasting and easily maintained, with floor plans designed with consideration of building process, economy of floor space, design variation, energy efficiency, site constraints, and floor space standards suggested by Habitat for Humanity International.
