Becoming a home owner is an exciting process, and below are some frequently asked questions to help you understand more about our home ownership process!
For more information, call 608-785-2373 ext. 104 or email info@habitatlacrosse.org.
FAQs:
What is the first step toward Habitat home ownership?
We encourage you to attend a Homeowners Expo to learn about the homeowner program. Attending a Homeowner Expo is not required to apply for the Homeowner Program.
What happens at a Homeowners Expo?
At a Homeowners Expo volunteers and staff outline the program and selection process. You will leave with a homeowner application and a list of required documents needed to submit with your application.
How does the selection process work?
The Committee will evaluate your financial eligibility. This consists of obtaining documentation, references, verification forms, and a credit report to learn about your credit situation. Close attention is paid to outstanding collections, debts, and any unpaid judgments (judgments must be satisfied before the family can purchase a home). The Committee is looking for you to show adequate, reliable income to be sure you are ready for the financial responsibility of home ownership. If you meet income and financial requirements, there will be a home visit. Here the Committee is looking for your need for housing and willingness to be an active partner with Habitat throughout the program. The Selection Committee then determines your eligibility and presents selected families to the Board of Directors for approval and acceptance.
What if my credit report shows outstanding collections, debt, bankruptcies, judgments, or liens?
We do not look for perfect credit. We consider your whole picture and look for applicants who are ready to accept the responsibility of home ownership. At the same time, we do not want to put you in a home that you cannot afford or in a situation where you cannot be a successful home owner.
What can I do to prepare for applying?
You are highly encouraged to develop a plan of action to resolve outstanding credit issues. If you would like to get a head start, you can begin to clean up your credit report seek financial counseling.
How long does the process take?
The process from beginning to moving into the home can take from 12 to 24 months or more depending on construction schedules. After you have attended an application meeting it takes three to four months to go through the selection process. Once approved for the program you begin earning your Sweat Equity hours by helping to build your home or other volunteer opportunities. It usually takes over a year to complete and move into your own new home.
What does “need for housing” mean?
“Need for housing” can mean a few different things. If the Selection Committee determines any of these apply, you meet this requirement.
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat Equity is the time and effort you contribute toward the purchase of you home through the construction of your home as well as other volunteer opportunities with Habitat. It is a central principle in Habitat’s mission of building community and partnering with families to provide “not a hand-out, but a hand-UP!” Following approval of the selection committee, you must complete the required number of sweat equity hours, but more important than the number of hours, is your consistent, active participation with Habitat. In fact, most families far exceed the minimum required numbers of hours.
What if I don’t know anything about construction?
We do not require any previous skills or knowledge. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which you work with your family, friends, and community to build your own home. Working alongside volunteers and future neighbors to build your home and community is one of the most unique, empowering, and rewarding aspects of Habitat for Humanity.
If I’m denied, can I reapply?
Absolutely. The Family Selection Committee does their best to refer you to the tools and resources available to help you improve your situation. Some of our home owner families were denied the first time they applied due to outstanding collections and debts, income below our limits, recent bankruptcies, or other issues. They successfully improved their eligibility, reapplied, and were accepted into the program.
We encourage you to attend a Homeowners Expo to learn about the homeowner program. Attending a Homeowner Expo is not required to apply for the Homeowner Program.
What happens at a Homeowners Expo?
At a Homeowners Expo volunteers and staff outline the program and selection process. You will leave with a homeowner application and a list of required documents needed to submit with your application.
How does the selection process work?
The Committee will evaluate your financial eligibility. This consists of obtaining documentation, references, verification forms, and a credit report to learn about your credit situation. Close attention is paid to outstanding collections, debts, and any unpaid judgments (judgments must be satisfied before the family can purchase a home). The Committee is looking for you to show adequate, reliable income to be sure you are ready for the financial responsibility of home ownership. If you meet income and financial requirements, there will be a home visit. Here the Committee is looking for your need for housing and willingness to be an active partner with Habitat throughout the program. The Selection Committee then determines your eligibility and presents selected families to the Board of Directors for approval and acceptance.
What if my credit report shows outstanding collections, debt, bankruptcies, judgments, or liens?
We do not look for perfect credit. We consider your whole picture and look for applicants who are ready to accept the responsibility of home ownership. At the same time, we do not want to put you in a home that you cannot afford or in a situation where you cannot be a successful home owner.
What can I do to prepare for applying?
You are highly encouraged to develop a plan of action to resolve outstanding credit issues. If you would like to get a head start, you can begin to clean up your credit report seek financial counseling.
How long does the process take?
The process from beginning to moving into the home can take from 12 to 24 months or more depending on construction schedules. After you have attended an application meeting it takes three to four months to go through the selection process. Once approved for the program you begin earning your Sweat Equity hours by helping to build your home or other volunteer opportunities. It usually takes over a year to complete and move into your own new home.
What does “need for housing” mean?
“Need for housing” can mean a few different things. If the Selection Committee determines any of these apply, you meet this requirement.
- Substandard Housing: Has issues that create health and/or safety problems (mold, unsafe neighborhood, poor heating or plumbing, etc.), or too few bedrooms for the number, ages, and gender of household members.
- Temporary Housing: Temporary living arrangements or transitional/subsidized housing.
- Housing that is too expensive: 50% or more of the income is being spent for total housing costs (rent and necessary utilities, i.e., water, sewer, trash removal, gas and electricity).
What is Sweat Equity?
Sweat Equity is the time and effort you contribute toward the purchase of you home through the construction of your home as well as other volunteer opportunities with Habitat. It is a central principle in Habitat’s mission of building community and partnering with families to provide “not a hand-out, but a hand-UP!” Following approval of the selection committee, you must complete the required number of sweat equity hours, but more important than the number of hours, is your consistent, active participation with Habitat. In fact, most families far exceed the minimum required numbers of hours.
What if I don’t know anything about construction?
We do not require any previous skills or knowledge. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which you work with your family, friends, and community to build your own home. Working alongside volunteers and future neighbors to build your home and community is one of the most unique, empowering, and rewarding aspects of Habitat for Humanity.
If I’m denied, can I reapply?
Absolutely. The Family Selection Committee does their best to refer you to the tools and resources available to help you improve your situation. Some of our home owner families were denied the first time they applied due to outstanding collections and debts, income below our limits, recent bankruptcies, or other issues. They successfully improved their eligibility, reapplied, and were accepted into the program.
Homeowner Program Facts Vs Fiction
FICTION: People with disabilities can’t qualify for a Habitat home if they can’t help build their homes.
FACT: Though working on their homes provides a ton of valuable skills and knowledge for future homeowners, Habitat has a wide variety of volunteer options for future partner families that don’t require being on a job site, including volunteering at the ReStore, helping with events, and completing office work. We also work with future homeowners to provide accessible tasks they can complete of their homes, if possible. Habitat staff will work with the families to find other volunteer alternatives that will work for them. Having a disability does not prevent families from partnering with Habitat. In fact, Habitat works with future homeowners who have disabilities to design homes that meet their specific needs.
FICTION: Habitat only builds homes for certain minorities.
FACT: Habitat builds houses to help people in need regardless to race. Three criteria drive the family selection process: need, ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage over a 30-year period and a willingness to partner with Habitat. The U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits denying anyone housing on the basis of race, sex, creed, marital status, color or national origin. The covenant that all local affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International also specifies that HFH homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background.”
FICTION: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to poor people.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity builds houses to help those in need and then sells the houses to the homeowner partners. Because of Habitat’s no-profit, no-interest loans, and because houses are built principally by volunteers, mortgage payments are affordable for those unable to obtain conventional financing for a home. Habitat homeowners typically earn incomes that are 30-60 percent of the median income. They are required to invest an average 350-400 hours of “sweat equity” – which is time spent building their own home or other Habitat homes.
FICTION: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
FACT: While some do receive public assistance, most homeowners work at low-wage jobs. Habitat for Humanity works in good faith with people who often are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but can be an important step – often the first step – toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.
FICTION: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity was founded as and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. Homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, however, in keeping with legal requirements and with Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all – regardless of race, creed or nationality. We also welcome volunteers from all faiths – or no faith – who can actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
FICTION: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to fancy new houses.
FACT: Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in a shack, hut or run-down apartment. But Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent homes. Under house design criteria approved by HFHI’s board of directors, living space in a three-bedroom home, for example, is not to exceed 1,050 square feet.
FICTION: Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values.
FACT: Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat for Humanity believes its approach to affordable housing can improve neighborhoods and communities by strengthening community spirit; increasing the tax base; and building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.
FICTION: Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost.
FACT: Habitat Founder and former President Millard Fuller addresses this issue in A Simple, Decent Place to Live: The Building Realization of Habitat for Humanity (Word Publishing, 1995): “In the two decades of Habitat for Humanity…we have had no history of people selling their houses. Why? Because it’s so hard for these families to get the houses in the first place. It’s like an impossible dream come true. The fact that they can make a profit is not even an issue because they realize that if they sell it they won’t have a house anymore. And they wouldn’t be able to make payments the way the world would demand on a new one, since the bank or someone else attempting to make a big profit would now be the lender.” Special second mortgages that are “paid off” by living in the house, as well as first buy-back option clauses that many affiliates put into their agreement with homeowners, also help alleviate concerns that some people may have regarding the resale of houses.
FACT: Though working on their homes provides a ton of valuable skills and knowledge for future homeowners, Habitat has a wide variety of volunteer options for future partner families that don’t require being on a job site, including volunteering at the ReStore, helping with events, and completing office work. We also work with future homeowners to provide accessible tasks they can complete of their homes, if possible. Habitat staff will work with the families to find other volunteer alternatives that will work for them. Having a disability does not prevent families from partnering with Habitat. In fact, Habitat works with future homeowners who have disabilities to design homes that meet their specific needs.
FICTION: Habitat only builds homes for certain minorities.
FACT: Habitat builds houses to help people in need regardless to race. Three criteria drive the family selection process: need, ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage over a 30-year period and a willingness to partner with Habitat. The U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits denying anyone housing on the basis of race, sex, creed, marital status, color or national origin. The covenant that all local affiliates sign with Habitat for Humanity International also specifies that HFH homeowner families are selected “according to criteria that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed or ethnic background.”
FICTION: Habitat for Humanity gives houses to poor people.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity builds houses to help those in need and then sells the houses to the homeowner partners. Because of Habitat’s no-profit, no-interest loans, and because houses are built principally by volunteers, mortgage payments are affordable for those unable to obtain conventional financing for a home. Habitat homeowners typically earn incomes that are 30-60 percent of the median income. They are required to invest an average 350-400 hours of “sweat equity” – which is time spent building their own home or other Habitat homes.
FICTION: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.
FACT: While some do receive public assistance, most homeowners work at low-wage jobs. Habitat for Humanity works in good faith with people who often are at risk in society, knowing that owning a home is not the answer to every problem, but can be an important step – often the first step – toward helping people break out of the cycle of poverty.
FICTION: You have to be a Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.
FACT: Habitat for Humanity was founded as and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. Homeowners are chosen without regard to creed, however, in keeping with legal requirements and with Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all – regardless of race, creed or nationality. We also welcome volunteers from all faiths – or no faith – who can actively embrace Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
FICTION: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to fancy new houses.
FACT: Any newly built house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in a shack, hut or run-down apartment. But Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent homes. Under house design criteria approved by HFHI’s board of directors, living space in a three-bedroom home, for example, is not to exceed 1,050 square feet.
FICTION: Habitat houses lower neighborhood property values.
FACT: Many studies of low-cost housing show that affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat for Humanity believes its approach to affordable housing can improve neighborhoods and communities by strengthening community spirit; increasing the tax base; and building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.
FICTION: Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost.
FACT: Habitat Founder and former President Millard Fuller addresses this issue in A Simple, Decent Place to Live: The Building Realization of Habitat for Humanity (Word Publishing, 1995): “In the two decades of Habitat for Humanity…we have had no history of people selling their houses. Why? Because it’s so hard for these families to get the houses in the first place. It’s like an impossible dream come true. The fact that they can make a profit is not even an issue because they realize that if they sell it they won’t have a house anymore. And they wouldn’t be able to make payments the way the world would demand on a new one, since the bank or someone else attempting to make a big profit would now be the lender.” Special second mortgages that are “paid off” by living in the house, as well as first buy-back option clauses that many affiliates put into their agreement with homeowners, also help alleviate concerns that some people may have regarding the resale of houses.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - LA CROSSE AREA
Providing Families with a Place to Call Home
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit founded on the conviction that every family should have a decent, safe, and affordable place to live. We partner with homeowners and the community to build decent, safe, and affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit founded on the conviction that every family should have a decent, safe, and affordable place to live. We partner with homeowners and the community to build decent, safe, and affordable housing.
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Phone: 608-785-2373
Email: info@habitatlacrosse.org Mailing Address: 3181 Berlin Drive La Crosse, WI 54601 |
Address:
3181 Berlin Drive La Crosse, WI 54601 Hours: Wednesday-Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm The ReStore is closed on the following days:
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