Homeownership and Applying for a Habitat House
Habitat for Humanity believes that everyone should have a safe, affordable place to call home.
To carry out our vision, Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families from application through construction to when the keys are handed over.
By working with us from beginning to end, we can help prospective individuals and families prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance and upkeep of homes, and much more.
Habitat's path to homeownership is an important and in-depth process, requiring hard work, time and dedication. But all this helps to ensure the long-term success of Habitat homeowners.
Primary Criteria for Selection as a Habitat Partner Family
In addition to being a resident of Williams County for at least one year, there are three primary criteria to qualify for selection as a Habitat Partner Family...
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Need
Prospective Habitat homeowners must demonstrate a need for safe, affordable housing. Needs include
- current over-crowded housing;
- inadequate or dangerous housing;
- or cost-burdened housing (paying more than 30% of income for rent).
To find if your rent is more than 30% of your income, divide your monthly rent payment by your monthly gross (before taxes) income. Your monthly income is the sum of two checks if you are paid bi-weekly or every other week, and four checks if you are paid every week.
Rent/Income = ?
If the resulting number is higher than 0.30, then your rent is more than 30% of your monthly income.
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Ability to Pay
Homeowners must be able and willing to pay an affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments are cycled back into the community to help build additional Habitat houses.
Prospective Habitat homeowners must have
- an income level that is between 30% and 60% of current federal Housing and Urban Development income guidelines,
- proof of stable income (job or permanent disability), and
- a debt-to-income ratio no higher than 40% including projected house payment.
A past bankruptcy is acceptable as long as it has been more than two years since discharge and finances are under control.
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Willingness to Partner
Once selected, Habitat homeowners must partner with us throughout the process. This partnership includes performing "sweat equity," or helping to build their own home or the homes of other partner families in our homeownership program.
Habitat homeowners must be willing to work 250 hours (per adult member of the family) of sweat equity. Sweat equity can also include taking homeownership classes or performing approved volunteer work in the community.
Habitat is a hand up, not a handout.
Income Ranges
Number in Family
Application Process
Initial contact should be made with the Williams County Habitat office by email (williamscountyhabitat@gmail.com) or telephone (419-636-9093) or in person (above the Bryan Chamber of Commerce office on the west side of the square). Click here for additional contact information.
Applications are available from the Habitat office or from the Bryan Chamber of Commerce office during office hours. The applications must be filled out completely and submitted with all supporting documentation. Any additional information requested must be submitted within one week of the request or the application will be considered incomplete. Applicants are urged to be thorough and honest during the whole process.
Completed applications must be accompanied by
- copies of the most recent income tax return (1040, 1040A, etc)
- copies of the last three months pay stubs
- copies of the last three months credit card statements
- copies of the last three months utility bills
- copy of alimony (if received)
- copy of Social Security or disabililty benefits (if received)
- copy of child support on all children (if received)
- copy of any other income information
- copy of rental agreement
- cover letter
- current credit report (within two weeks of application) run on the applicant and co-applicants.
A checklist of the above application items required can be downloaded and printed from here.
All applications are handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality.
Applications must be returned in a sealed envelope directed to:
Williams County Habitat for Humanity
The Family Selection Committee
P.O. Box 366
Bryan, Ohio, 43506