BECOMING A HABITAT FAMILY

The Program

The selection process

Applications are accepted twice a year during the open application periods, currently scheduled to be held during Spring and Fall. Habitat will schedule applicant orientations open to the public and advertise the time and dates through the newspaper and radio. Attendance at an applicant orientation will be necessary to obtain an application.

Complete applications will be returned to the Habitat for Humanity office, within 30 days of the orientation. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

A $15.00 credit check fee and completed authorization form must accompany the application.

If your application meets the income guidelines and financial requirements, a family selection team will schedule a home visit with your family.

The family selection committee will meet after all family visits have been completed. They will assess all applicant families needs and finances and recommend families to the Executive Director and Board of Directors for final approval.

This process may take up to 3 months.

The criteria

The three criteria used for selection of Partner Families are as follows:

(1) Need for adequate housing;

some examples:

Overcrowded conditions
Deteriorated building conditions
Over 30% of income used for housing cost

(2) Household income, see below

(3) Willingness to work 400 hours (sweat equity) toward building a home, attending workshops, and partnering with Habitat to share in the work of the organization.

Income Guidelines

We encourage poorly housed people with no way to buy a home on their own to apply. We want people who are serious about house payments, home maintenance and Habitat .

These guidelines are based on the 2009 HUD Median Income data for Norwich-New London, CT Area. The HUD 30% of Median and Very Low Income for Norwich-New London, CT area were used as the Habitat Minimum and Maximum guidelines respectively.

Approved by the Board of Directors: 2009