Program Information
Looking for an affordable opportunity to buy a simple, decent home?
Here are the basic guidelines followed in qualifying families who obtain housing with Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County. We look at three distinct areas of selection criteria when reviewing potential “Homeowner Partners”.
These selection criteria are:
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Your family’s actual housing need based on the suitability of your current shelter.
You will be considered for a Habitat house 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 systems; heating system; or failure to meet county 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 percentage 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 the Habitat interviewer. You must currently live in Tuolumne County.
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Your income and ability to pay for a Habitat house.
The qualified income ranges will be published shortly. Since you will be 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 payment for real estate taxes, insurance and homeowners’ association fees (if applicable). 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 you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. There is no interest on the loan for a Habitat home.
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Your willingness to participate as a partner with Habitat.
When selected, you become a Habitat “partner family”. To become a partner family you must complete 500 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 others is called “sweat equity” and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers or working in the Habitat office. As a partner family, you must complete 500 hours of sweat equity. Your friends and relatives can help you; up to 200 hours of their volunteer time can be applied towards your sweat equity. This sweat equity requirement may seem quite hard but you are allowed to complete these hours over a period of time.
You will be responsible for repairs and maintenance 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.
For information on home ownership, see out How to Apply Page.
The
selection of families who purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity of Tuolumne County, Inc. will be made by the Family
Selection Committee in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion,
familial status, or because all or part of the applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the
nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to
obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
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