| |
Family Selection Qualifications
|
Individuals or families are chosen by Habitat’s Board of Directors based upon recommendation of the Family Selection Committee, which is outlined in detail on the Family Selection Process page. The decision is based on the following:
In order to qualify for homeownership through Habitat, applicants must have lived OR worked in Buncombe County for the last 36 months.
Applicants must also be citizens of the United States or permanent legal residents.
(back to top)
Applicants must currently be living in inadequate housing. This could include living in a structure that is unsafe, unsanitary (other than self-imposed), overcrowded, inaccessible or unaffordable. This could also include living in an unsafe neighborhood.
Applicants must have a steady source of income and be able to demonstrate financial responsibility.
Income: Total family income before taxes needs to be within the following guidelines:
| Family Size |
Minimum Income |
Maximum Income |
| 1 |
$19,370 |
$27,300 |
| 2 |
$19,370 |
$31,220 |
| 3 |
$20,700 |
$35,070 |
| 4 |
$21,700 |
$38,990 |
| 5 |
$21,700 |
$42,140 |
| 6 |
$21,700 |
$45,220 |
| 7 |
$21,700 |
$48,370 |
| 8 |
$21,700 |
$51,450 |
Income includes gross wages, tips, alimony, regular child support, Work First, Social Security, SSI, and any other form of cash payment. Income must be secure for three years. Non-cash payments such as Food Stamps, WIC, and Section 8 rent support are recorded but not included as income.
Credit: Applicants must have and maintain good credit. We will check your credit history through a credit report. We will assess your credit and its role in the application process.
The amount of money being spent each month paying on debt will also be considered. This includes items such as credit cards, student loans, car payments, and consolidated loans.
Asheville Area Habitat For Humanity, Inc. is in compliance with the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act. This act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from a public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act.
Work History: Applicants must be employed for six months with the same employer during the application process. Applicants must have a steady two-year work history with no more than a two-month gap in employment during the two-year period. The two-year work history may include school attendance or major medical occurrences.
Rental History: Applicants must have lived on their own (with excellent/satisfactory rental history) for at least one full year within the past three years, or applicants living with parent (s) or friend (s) must have verifiable rent payments.
(back to top)
Applicants must fully participate in the application process, attend homeownership preparation classes, work with the sponsoring organization, participate in publicity, complete at least 200 hours of required Sweat Equity (education and service) and exhibit a willingness to partner in a safe and well-maintained Habitat community.
Sweat Equity: Before closing on a Habitat home, applicants must invest a minimum of 200 hours of the family’s time in volunteer service (at the construction site, Home Store and/or office) and education (homeownership preparation classes such as Manage Your Money and Basic Home Maintenance).
The family is assigned 200 hours of Sweat Equity per adult and 50 per child age 16-21.
Any member of the partner family who will reside in the house and is 16 years of age or older may fulfill the Sweat Equity requirements for the family.
Required Documents: Upon pre-application approval, applicants will complete a full application with the Family Selection Coordinator. At that time, applicants will need to bring documents such as birth certificates, driver's licenses, social security cards and various financial statement and records.
To obtain a homeownership pre-application in English, click here. En Espanol, click here.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract. In selecting homeowners, AAHH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, familial status, marital status, sexual orientation or age.
(back to top)
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
