Need – The applicant’s family must be living under inadequate housing conditions. This may include the family being burdened by excessively high rent, over-crowding, structural problems with residence and/or inadequate utilities, etc.

Willingness to Partner – The applicant(s) must be willing to participate in the Habitat Program as a partner and completing hours of “Sweat Equity”. This may include construction activity, homeowner and financial education workshops and volunteering.

Residency – The applicant(s) must be legal citizen(s) or permanent resident(s) of the U.S. and must have lived or worked in Carroll or Haralson County for a period of at least 12 months consecutively prior to applying.

Ability to Pay – Ability to qualify for and repay a no interest loan. The applicant’s family must have total household income that is between 30 – 60% of the current HUD Median Income Guidelines for the Carroll or Haralson County areas, adjusting for family size. Additionally, the mortgage payment including principal and escrow must be less than 30% of the income. The applicant’s income alone must be sufficient to pay for a Habitat mortgage as well as things such as utilities and a $2000 down payment. Income need not be job-related, but may include disability, Social Security, alimony or child support.