How to Apply for a Habitat Home

Habitat For Humanity is not a give-away program. Contrary to what you may have heard, we do not "give away free houses". Rather, we give low income families a "hand-up" by assisting those who might not otherwise be able to escape the cycle of sub-standard housing and poverty.

All Habitat homeowners contribute many hours of "sweat equity" volunteer work and participate in educational programs as part of their commitment to improve their own quality of life as well as their neighbors . Only families that can demonstrate the ability to meet the financial obligations of home ownership are accepted into the program.

A Habitat home is built at a substantial discount with volunteer labor and even comes with interest-free financing, but the home is most definitely not free. The partner families have a mortgage to pay just like any other homeowner, and are responsible for the on-going upkeep and repair of property.

Family Selection Criteria

• Need – Houses are built for families who reside in inadequate or substandard housing and do not have the financial means to have a home through current conventional means. Inadequate housing includes overcrowded living situations.
  

• Ability to Pay – Families must demonstrate financial resources to pay the minimum monthly mortgage payment and small down payment.
  

• Sweat Equity – Families are required to contribute a minimum of 450 hours in the construction of their home and other homes. This may include clearing the lot, painting, assisting in actual construction, helping to landscape the property, or other related activities. All time contributions of the family members will be counted toward the Sweat Equity, and each family member will be expected to turn in a time card on which they record their time spent on a project.
  

• Residency – Applicants must have lived or worked in Bartow county for a minimum of one year.