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Habitat FAQ
What is Habitat for Humanity?Habitat for Humanity- NCR is a volunteer, nonprofit, faith-based housing ministry that builds simple, decent, affordable homes and sells them with no interest mortgages to low income working families seeking an affordable home in which to raise their children. People of all faiths and cultures are warmly welcomed by Habitat for Humanity-NCR. What is Habitat's mission?Habitat’s mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty. How does the Habitat program work?Neighbours helping neighbours is the fundamental concept behind Habitat for Humanity-NCR. We work hand-in-hand with corporations, service clubs, faith communities and individuals to build homes and communities that make a difference. To date Habitat-NCR has built 31 homes (with one currently in progress) housing 97 children and 56 adults. We accomplish our goals by accepting donations of land, money, labour, building materials and other services from the community. How large is the Habitat for Humanity organization?Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat International is headquartered in Americus, Georgia, U.S.A. Habitat for Humanity International (HfHI) works in over 100 countries. When did Habitat for Humanity come to the National Capital Region?HfH has been operating in the National Capital Region since 1993 and is governed by a 15-member, inter-denominational, volunteer Board of Directors. Operations depend on a volunteer base of over 500 people. How many houses has Habitat built?In 29 years, HfHI has successfully built over 200,000 houses worldwide and housed more than one million family members. This success means that every 24 minutes somewhere in the world, a family receives keys to their new Habitat home.Since 1993, HfH-NCR is proud to have provided affordable and safe housing in our community through the construction of 32 new homes. What makes Habitat different from other not -for- profit builders?Almost everything we do! What's the most common myth about the affordable housing crisis?Many people believe that there is nothing they can do to help solve the affordable housing crisis. Habitat works -- not because one particular organization is financially supporting it -- but rather because the general public is behind it. Everyone touched by Habitat has resources that can help further the work of Habitat. Everyone counts with Habitat! How is a partner family chosen?Habitat families are low income, working families who want to help themselves and others to become homeowners. In the application form we ask about: Applications are available at community outreach sessions. Please contact the HfH office at 749 9950. How are applications screened?Applications are screened for eligibility based on three basic criteria. How long does it take to apply for a Habitat home?The application process is thorough and can take as long as four months. Community outreach information sessions are usually held in the spring or early fall with application submission one month later. The Family Selection Committee, composed of dedicated volunteers from the community, review all applications and then make a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Are there choices in house design?We have a basic house design that can be tailored according lot size and family size. We stick to a certain design to ensure that construction is “volunteer friendly”, cost effective, and keeping with Habitat’s guidelines of simple decent homes. How many bedrooms are there?HfH-NCR typically builds three-bedroom houses. Families are selected before finalizing the house plans, allowing us to tailor house plans to meet specific family situations. If a homeowner has special needs such as wheelchair access etc., will this be taken into consideration?Yes; we will take into consideration special needs and build to reflect those needs. Do houses have basements?Yes; assuming the location, the type of home and building codes permit a basement. Can an addition to the house be built?Additions to the house can be built by the homeowner but only with a building permit. Should an addition be built without a permit and if HfH takes possession of the house for whatever reason, HfH will charge the cost of removing the addition from the property and add this to the overall cost of the house. What are sweat equity/Volunteer hours?HfH requires each family to commit 500 hours of their time volunteering for the Habitat affiliate. There is no compensation for these volunteer hours. Examples of how to accumulate volunteer hours include: constructing one’s own home or the homes of others; participating in publicity and fundraising events; office work; and attending family orientation meetings. Family and/or friends can also contribute required hours. What types of activities qualify for sweat equity?
How much would a monthly mortgage payment be?Monthly payments of the first mortgage are determined by the sale price of the house. The actual material cost, permits and other cash spent on the home determine the sale price. The home is then sold to the family at 80 per cent of the appraised value with Habitat for Humanity keeping a second mortgage of 20 per cent. The mortgage is repaid over a 20- or 25-year period. Habitat reviews the monthly amount paid once each year. The monthly payment will not exceed 25 to 30 per cent of the total household income. Can I sell my home after having lived in it for a few years?HfH retains all rights on the house should the homeowner wish to sell. HFH has first right of refusal on the home and will in turn sell that home to another deserving HFH family. After the homeowner has established a good repayment record, HfH will, in the 12th year, begin to forgive the second mortgage at a rate of 12.5 per cent per year. Can the property be left in a will?Yes, when the mortgage has been paid in full. The home may be left in a will just like any other homeowner. If a family’s financial position improves in order to allow them the ability to buy a second property such as a cottage, can they do that?If a family’s financial position has improved that significantly to allow the purchase of another property, they would be deemed to be able to get conventional mortgage financing through a bank or another lender and be requested to pay off the mortgage to Habitat. This would then allow HfH to use those funds to help another family get started in their life as a homeowner. Will bankruptcy affect an application?This depends on the timing of the bankruptcy and where the applicant is in the process when they apply to HfH. One may be insolvent but the bankruptcy may not have been discharged or the bankruptcy may have been discharged and is now in the seven-year waiting period. Each condition will be assessed fairly however recent bankruptcy will require additional investigation. What if there is not a credit history?Signed statements from a landlord, bank, hydro and other organizations that are dealt with on an ongoing basis can be good sources of credit history in the absence of a formal credit history. For purposes of obtaining a credit record, will\ the payment record be recorded with the Credit Bureau?To date HfH mortgages have not been reported to the Credit Bureau Must total income be reported or just full-time income only?HfH looks at total household income, including, but are not limited to child tax credits, support payments, disability pensions as examples. Homeowners must disclose all income of all family members. Do single parents living on a disability income making close to the minimum income that HfH has established have a chance if they qualify in all other areas?Yes, if they fit into our income criteria. With regards to the disability, a discussion would be undertaken to determine what effect this would have on the fulfillment of the 500 hours of sweat equity. Is there an age limitation established for children when they are living at home?There are no age limitations. HfH uses household income of all adults
living in the home. |
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