Is a Partnership with Habitat right for me?
Do you: - Enjoy working with new people—volunteers, staff, other homeowners?
- Have interest in forming a community with your new neighbors?
- Have the time and energy to complete 350 hours of sweat equity work?
- Have the commitment to being a successful homeowner--by attending homeowner education workshops, other
trainings/events, making timely mortgage payments, and maintaining upkeep of your home after moving in?
Does my family qualify? Requirements vary from development
to development but all Habitat homeowners meet the following requirements. - Need for housing
- Ability to pay
- Willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro
- Family Size
- You must be a legal
resident of the United States
- You must be a resident of or have worked in Jonesboro for
at least one year
- You must be currently living in poverty housing and have never
owned a home before
- Your income must be between 30% and 50% of the median income of Jonesboro/Craighead
County
- You must be able to pass a credit check
- You must be willing to put in 350 hours of “Sweat Equity” building your house or another Habitat house
- You must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Jonesboro and attend
training classes regarding home ownership and family events
Need for Housing: Selected
families must demonstrate a need for adequate shelter. Some examples of this are overcrowded housing, dilapidated, instable
or unsafe housing, or rental payments exceeding 30% of their household income. We partner with families who are in the position to be stable homeowners. For instance, applicants aren't expected
to have perfect credit records, but families with high monthly debt bills may find it difficult to meet mortgage payments.
An important first step to good credit is knowing your current credit score (FICO). You can find free FICO calculators online
through Bankrate or www.annualcreditreport.com. These websites will show you all of your open credit accounts to make sure you aren’t a victim of identity theft. The free report doesn’t give
out credit scores, but it will show if you have any late payments on your record. Willingness to Partner with Habitat for Humanity
of Greater Jonesboro: HfH of Greater Jonesboro considers
the homeowner families to be partners in the building process. As partners, each family must put in 350 hours of "sweat equity", mostly by working at construction sites and fundraisers. A commitment to the
sweat equity policy is the heart of the Habitat homeownership program. The work varies and construction experience is not
necessary. Hours may also be earned by attending workshops or volunteering in the community, and a portion of the hours may
be donated by friends and extended family. 350 hours means working about 30 hours
per month for a year, and it will take dedication, and sometimes sacrifice, in order to reach this goal. But the experience
is a rewarding one because it is an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people as you help build your home and the
homes of your future neighbors! Additionally, families need to save
money for a down payment and to help pay for the cost of closing escrow . Selected families are given a 6-12 months to save
for these closing costs and complete the sweat equity. Family Size: Habitat of Greater Jonesboro builds 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes. Habitat of Greater Jonesborofollows
federal and state fair housing guidelines to determine the size house a homeowner receives. The home size depends on the ages
and number of people in their household. - Parent(s) or adult(s)
get their own bedroom (one room per couple if cohabitating).
- Children
are expected to share a bedroom (one bedroom for every two children), unless (1) they are of opposite sex, or (2) they are
five or more years apart in age.
Example 1: A mother
and father are applying for a Habitat home with their three children: daughter, 19, son, 17 and daughter, 11. The family would
be considered for a 4 bedroom home: the parents can share a room and the daughters are too far apart in age to share a room.
Children of the opposite gender would never share a room. Example
2: A mother and her adult sister are applying for a home with their three children: daughter, 17, daughter, 15, and son,
12. In this case the family would get a 4 bedroom home: each adult sister would have a private room. How are families selected?
| | Step
1: Attend an orientation and find out more about Habitat’s program and how to apply | | | | | | Step 2: Return your application to
Habitat. The Family Selection Committee (FSC) evaluates your family’s financial preparedness for homeownership, including
credit history, debt and income | | | | | |
Step 3: FSC volunteers schedule an interview in your home to meet your family and see your living conditions
| | | |
| | Step 4:
FSC meets to evaluate families. If there are more qualified families than homes available, a drawing is held |
| | |
| | Step 5:
Habitat staff presents your application to city hall (if necessary) and Habitat’s Board of Directors for approval |
| | |
| Then meet other homeowners at New Family Orientation and begin sweat equity—350 hours of volunteer work towards
the completion of your new home | | Meanwhile, attend homeowner education and leadership training meetings to prepare you for moving in and being a part
of your new community |
| | | |
Move In! |
| | |
| | Ongoing:
make timely mortgage payments, maintain your home and maintain healthy relationships with other homeowners and Habitat, and
participate in neighborhood activities! | |
Please note: It takes about 5 months to select families from application to approval, and the
sweat equity period normally lasts 8-12 months. If you have an immediate need for housing, another non-profit housing organization
may be able to help you right now.
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