Building Homes.

Building Hope.

Our goal is to make affordable single and multiple unit housing available to families who would otherwise not qualify for a conventional mortgage. In partnership with many volunteers from the Habitat community, you will help build your own home.

You will own your house by making monthly mortgage payments.

Building a house is an expensive business. Costs include the land, materials and labour. With the help of Habitat volunteers, most of the labour costs will disappear.

Materials are often donated and many professional tradespeople donate their services. People you have never met will be helping you with your house. These include fundraisers who are raising the money to pay for the materials and the land, and for the extra money we need to let you have an interest-free mortgage. Other volunteers work at the Habitat ReStore, on committees, in the office or at public functions where they promote Habitat for Humanity to churches, businesses, community organizations and service clubs.

Habitat House Designs

• Simple, decent, affordable;
• Meets all building codes and requirements;
• All houses have a living room, kitchen and eating area;
• All houses have at least 3 bedrooms and are at least 1000 square feet in size;
• Some houses will have 4 bedrooms if families have more than 6 members;
• All houses have high efficiency gas furnaces along with R20 insulation in walls and R40 insulation in ceiling;
• Good quality doors and windows are installed
• Floors have carpet and vinyl;
• Walls and ceilings are drywalled and painted;
• The exterior usually has vinyl siding;
• The lot will be sodded (there may be other landscaping options);
• There will be a driveway;
• Four new basic appliances are provided.

• A garage;
• Air conditioning, dishwashers, fencing or bay windows, etc;
• Upgrades to basic materials.

Habitat Family FAQ

1. How much sweat equity must I contribute?
   500 hours is expected for families and 250 hours for single parent families. Habitat encourages you to continue helping others with their houses even if you have completed your required number of hours.
   
   
2. Who can contribute sweat equity?
   • You and members of your immediate family who will be living in the house.
   • Relatives and friends (up to 5) may contribute up to 30% of your required hours.
   • Attending Habitat Homeowner workshop classes accounts for approximately 10% of required hours (these count as double hours).
   • Family partnering representative can contribute up to 10% of your hours.
   • Volunteering with community organizations may contribute up to 10%.
   • School credits from children or adults in your family may also contribute up to 10%.
   • Activities such as attending pre-approved Home Improvement Classes and Homeowner Association activities may count towards your sweat equity.
   
   
   
3. What Habitat work qualifies for sweat equity?
   Attending Habitat Homeowner workshop classes accounts for approximately10% of required hours (hours put in are counted as double hours);

   Attending pre-approved Home Improvement Classes and Homeowner Association activities;

   Work as a volunteer on the build site of a Habitat home (work is assigned by the Habitat construction supervisor);

   HFH Home Education Courses (hours put in are counted as double hours)

   Pre-approved home improvement classes at Home Depot/Reno Depot or equivalent (hours put in are counted as double hours);

   With the approval of the Family Partner, a maximum of 50 hours of sweat equity requirements can be met through volunteer work with another community organization;

   A maximum of 50 hours of sweat equity can be contributed through school credits from both adults and children in the family

   Volunteer hours worked at the Habitat Restore;

   Volunteer hours worked on administrative tasks as needed at the HFH-NCR office;

   Volunteering for speaking engagements and media interviews about Habitat including Groundbreaking and Dedication ceremonies for Habitat homes.

4. When can I start my sweat equity?
   You can start to record your sweat equity when you have been selected as a "qualified Habitat family" and have signed a Partnership Agreement.

   
   
5. How do I learn about sweat equity opportunities?
   Once you have signed a Habitat Partnership Agreement a Habitat volunteer called a family partner - you will be assigned to work with you to help you prepare for home ownership.


The family partner will help to keep you informed about the opportunities to volunteer and complete your sweat equity requirements. Opportunities can include completing volunteer work at the Habitat office, the Volunteer Committee or the Habitat ReStore.


6. How is my mortgage paid off?
   When a house is completed, an appraisal is done to calculate the market value of the house and property.

Habitat will hold an interest-free mortgage based on 100% of the market value of the house and property.

A family must fully repay the mortgage to Habitat. In effect, Habitat becomes the bank. Like a bank, Habitat expects regular monthly payments. A family who falls behind in mortgage payments could lose their house.

To meet their mortgage payments, families typically must use between 25% and 30% of their Gross Household Income. The interest-free mortgage typically is repaid within 30-35 years. Once the mortgage is completely paid off, a family will own the house and property.

7. What about utilities and maintenance?
   As a homeowner, you will be responsible for the cost of all utilities (gas,
   electricity, water, telephone and cable, etc.) and for the total cost of performing
   proper maintenance on the house.

   A homeowner should estimate the minimum average cost of utilities to be $550.00 monthly. A new Habitat homeowner should expect to have to pay a minimum of $1200.00 a month to operate their new home. This minimum amount will increase depending on the utility requirements of each family.

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