Apply for a House
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside our homeowner (partner) families.
Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor (sweat equity) into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.
The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.
How are partner families selected?
Families in need of decent shelter apply to Habitat for Humanity of Mifflin County.
The affiliate’s family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the loan.
Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.
Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
Why can’t I find out the cost of the house before we become a partner family?
The cost of the house is determined by the cost of materials used to complete the house. The more materials and/or appliances are donated, the lower the cost of the house. The cost of the house will be determined once the “build” is complete.
What is sweat equity? Can my family help with the sweat equity?
Sweat equity is the required number of work hours a partner family must complete before they can purchase the house. Although most families elect to earn their sweat equity hours laboring on the Habitat House they are going to buy, the required hours (usually around 500 hours) can be earned in multiple ways (clerical, fund raising, etc.).
Who actually holds the mortgage for my Habit House?
Habitat for Humanity of Mifflin County holds the mortgage for a Habit House. Once the house is complete and the Partner Family has taken possession, the monthly mortgage payment will be made to HFHMC. That payment will go directly to the Habitat treasury to be used for a future building project.
How much interest will I have to pay? How does HFHMC determine what the final price will be for the house?
The loans given to Partner Families by HFHMC are interest free. The amount of the mortgage is based on the cost of the materials only; there are no charges for labor provided by HFHMC volunteer building.
What is escrow?
An escrow account is set up by HFHMC for the Partner Family. Part of each month’s mortgage payment will be put into a separate account that will be used to pay property taxes. This process is frequently used by mortgage companies to insure that the taxes will be paid on time.
How long is the mortgage set up for?
HFHMC usually writes mortgages for 25 or 30 years.
How can I become a volunteer?
Volunteers are alway needed and always welcome. We meet the first Monday of the month at Derry Township Senior Citizen Center, Yeagertown, PA at 6:30 pm.
When we are building, we obviously need workmen and women, but there are many other types of help we need. Someone to provide sandwiches and lunch on big work days, non-builders to help “fetch and carry”, clean up or to be gophers.
How can I get more information?
Through any of the following methods:
Email us at info@mifflinhabitat.org
Write to Habitat for Humanity of Mifflin County
PO Box 1124
Lewistown, PA 17044Call us at (717) 247-8067
Family Selection Criteria
Here are the basic guidelines followed in qualifying families who obtain housing with us:
Need
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 system, heating systems 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 percent 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 a Habitat interviewer. You must currently live in Mifflin County.
You and your family will be considered if your gross income is between $10,000 and $20,000 per two persons per year. Adjustments are made according to the family size. If your income is within this range, you may be considered to become a Habitat partner.
Ability to Pay
Since you will be actually buying your home from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment.
This payment will include not only the mortgage payment but the 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 if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. There is no interest on the loan for a Habitat home.
Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat
When selected, you become a “partner family” in the Habitat movement. To become a “partner family”, you must complete the required number of hours of volunteer work with Habitat, which will count toward your total “sweat equity” contribution to be completed before becoming a homeowner.Your assistance in constructing your home and the homes of other is called “sweat equity” and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteer or working in the Habitat office. As a partner family, you must complete the required number of hours of sweat equity. Your family can receive up to 25% of the hours by applying time put in on your behalf by friends and relatives who join in the work.
You will be responsible for the maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you move into your home.
After moving into your home, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you… this includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.
