HFH Home Application Process

Qualifications

1. Need- Applicant must live in sub-standard housing at the time of the application. Conditions might include but are not restricted to poor plumbing or electrical, a leaky roof, poor weatherization, structural deficiencies or overcrowding.

2. Ability to pay- Applicant must be able to purchase the home. Houses are sold at no-interest, no-profit, 20-year loans from Habitat. The payments are modest, in first quarter 2005 about $275 per month for a 3-bedroom house. A $900 down payment is required.

3. Willingness to partner- Applicant must commit to partnering with Habitat. This means adopting the Habitat philosophy of working with all willing persons and organizations to provide simple, decent housing for families in need. It also includes a commitment to work on their own house and those of others. This is called “sweat equity”, and it includes 250 hours for a single parent household, 350 for a dual parent household.

4. Residency- Applicant must be a resident of Floyd County.

Process

Applications are accepted once a year. This is announced weeks in advance and applications are distributed for at least a month. They are available at Good Neighbor Ministries, the Rome Public Library, Habitat HomeMart and other distribution points. Applications are collected at an annual orientation meeting, which typically is attended by about 100 hopefuls.

The Family Selection Committee reviews applications and disqualifies those who do not meet the requirements. The committee members then evaluate the remaining applications based on need and ability to pay. Those who make the final stage are interviewed during a home visit. They also receive a credit review.

The Family Selection Committee makes recommendations to the HFH Board of Directors. They Board makes final determinations. All families are notified as to whether they were selected or not. Those who are not selected may apply again in subsequent years.

Habitat for Humanity of Rome and Floyd County
P.O. Box 127
Rome, GA 31062-0127

Phone: 706-378-0030
E-mail: habitatrome@bellsouth.net