Apply for a Home

The next application cycle will not begin before the Fall of 2011.

Did you know...?
   * We sell our homes to our families - the homes are not free.
   * The homes are financed through a long-term, no-interest loan.
   * Habitat families help build their homes, with help from Habitat volunteers.
   * Habitat families must complete 350 of sweat equity before they can move into
      their homes.

Do you qualify? We first consider five things.

1. Does your annual income meet our guidelines? Find your 'Family Size' on the following chart. If the annual income for all members of your family falls in the range for you family size, you meet one of the qualifications.

Year 2011 - 2012 Guidelines
Family Size	Salary between...	...and...
One	$12,600	$25,200
Two	$14,400	$28,800
Three	$16,200	$32,400
Four	$17,950	$35,940
Five	$19,400	$38,820
Six	$20,850	$41,700
Seven	$22,300	$44,580
Eight	$23,700	$47,460

2.  Have you lived or worked in Comal County for the past 12 months?
3.  Can you pay a long-term mortgage?  You must be able to show that you have income to pay for the loan.
4.  Do you have legal residence in the United States?
5.  Can you successfully pass a criminal background check?

If you answered 'yes' to all five questions, you should consider applying for the habitat program.

How do you apply?
1.  Fill out the online questionnaire.  On left bar under 'Apply for Home', click 'Interest Form'.
2.  Based on the information you provide, we will invite you to our Habitat Family Orientation meeting.
3.  Attend the meeting.  At the meeting, you will hear details about our housing program and get an application packet.  **YOU MUST ATTEND AN ORIENTATION MEETING TO GET AN APPLICATION**
4.  Then, if you are interested in our program, complete the application packet.

Our Family Selection Committee will begin the selection process and stay in touch with you so you will know the status of your application. In addition to the five qualifications above, we will consider the condition of your current housing, the amount of debt you have and how you are managing your current finances, and your willingness to partner in the Habitat program.

Additional Information:

You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure; water, electrical or sewage service systems; heating system, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards. Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages and the sex of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.
The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with Habitat Interviewers.
You and your family will be considered if your annual total income is between 30-60% of the median income for Comal County.

Ability to Pay
Since you will actually be buying your house from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. The family will be expected to save a down payment of 1% of the cost of the house.

Requirements:

You must have lived in Comal County for one year.

You must be a legal resident.

Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat

When selected, you become a "partner family". As a partner family you will be responsible for 300 hours of sweat equity. This sweat equity may be accomplished in construction of your house and the houses of others and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office and attending Homeownership Classes. The homeowner(s) must complete150 of the sweat equity hours. The family can receive credit for the remaining sweat equity hours put in by friends and relatives who join in the work.
You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you sign the mortgage.
After moving into your house, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you for the minimum of a six month period. This includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.