Applying for a home

To qualify for partnership with TCHFH, an applicant must meet all three of the following criteria:

 1.  Need:  The applicant’s current housing must be substandard.

 2.  Ability to Pay:  The applicant must show that they can make a modest mortgage payment on a monthly basis, approximately $350 per month.  Also, the applicant’s income must be with 25% to 60% of the mean for that area.  For instance, a family of 4 should make between $17,000 and $40,000 annually to qualify for our program.  We run a credit report on each adult member of the family.

 3.  Willingness to Partner:  The applicant must be willing to partner with TCHFH in the home building process.  This partnership involves taking budgeting and home economics classes, working 400 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of other homes and on the applicant’s home, and meeting with a family advocate.  Also, a criminal history report is run on every adult member of the family.  A criminal history does not necessarily automatically disqualify an applicant.  Such decisions would be made based on the severity of the crime and the length of time that has elapsed since the crime was committed. 

APPLYING FOR A HOME

(804) 732-5793 – Director

(804) 733-9743 – Family Selection Chairman

PRE -APPLICATION STEPS  

INFORMATION PRESENTATION

                              Attendance at a Quarterly Information Presentation is required.  All aspects of
                                the  program will be reviewed.   All questions will be answered as well as we can. 
                                You    will   then know what the programs is  - and all requirements to gain home
                                 ownership. Application forms available.

                 CREDIT REPORT

                             On February 1, 2005 , our organization began requiring that all applications  be
                              accompanied with a credit report for every family member 18 years of age or older.  
                        You can obtain this  once a year for free. See  flyer for methods                               

                APPLICATION

                            Fully fill out application and return to Family Selection Chairman.

AFTER APPLICATION STEPS  

If your income is adequate, you credit background reasonable and need shown, the following will occur  

HOME VISIT (1)

The first home visit will clear up questions about application, verify need, review program again, obtain signatures on various forms  and receive you commitment to requirements.

HOME VISIT (2)

The second home visit will  address any questions raised by Landlord verification, or State Police checks etc.  Any application problems will be cleared up.  Review of what comes next.

BOARD APPROVAL

The Habitat board will then vote on you application.  You will get a letter of acceptance from the board and be contacted by the Family Partnership Chairman who will be you “escort” from this point on.