HOME OWNERSHIP

What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Wenatchee Area is a member of Habitat for Humanity International in
Americus, Georgia.  Habitat is a Christian motivated program working to provide housing for people who are
in need of decent affordable housing.  Habitat for Humanity is based on the idea that people need a hand-up, not a hand-out to upgrade their housing.  Habitat works with people who have the desire to help themselves and others experience the dream of owning a home.  Families who qualify purchase a home from Habitat with an affordable interest, no-profit loan.

Family Selection Process
The road to homeownership begins with our Family Selection process.  Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Wenatchee Area accepts applications during designated time periods only.  Our Family Selection Committee members are volunteers so this allows to issue applications, answer questions. process applications and meet with applicant families during an established time frame rather than throughout the year.

How Can I Qualify?
Applicants are selected to purchase Habitat homes based on three general areas of qualification:
1) Need
2) Ability to Pay
3) Willingness to Partner

Need - Habitat will assess whether the family's current housing situation is safe and adequate to provide shelter in its present condition without endangering the health, safety or well being of the household members.

Ability to Pay - Habitat homes are sold to partner families with a 25 to 30 year mortgage that the homeowner is responsible for paying back in monthly installments.  Families must demonstrate the ability to pay their monthly mortgage payments in a timely manner without default.  Habitat will determine that the applicant has enough income to pay for a Habitat house.

Willingness to Partner - This is an applicant's willingness to fulfill the requirements of the Habitat program and participate in the attitude or "spirit" upon which Habitat is founded.  This is an on-going process (e.g. with a Family Mentor) and continues for at least one year after the completion of the home.


Contract Management
The mortgages on Habitat homes are at an affordable interest rate for low-income families.  The families pay back only the actual costs of the land and building expenses.  Habitat for Humanity utilizes volunteer labor to build their homes so that the cost of the home is kept affordable.  The average  mortgage on a Habitat home is $150,000 with a monthly payment of  approximately $550 which includes a reserve account for payment of homeowner insurance and property taxes. Loans are normally calculated  over a 25-30 year period. Payments received from Habitat homeowners  are used to build more houses for qualifying families.