Genesee County Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry, affiliated with Habitat  for Humanity International, but controlled locally. It is made up of people who volunteer their time and work to provide decent, affordable homes for persons who could not otherwise afford to buy a home. Habitat is financed through donations of money and materials. Houses are sold at no profit, and no interest, typically over a 20 year period.  

Qualifications

Habitat selects people who are trying to take care of their needs, and who are trying to be independent but cannot afford simple, decent housing.  A person's current housing is assessed for overcrowding, safety and other problems. Applicant's income should be such that they are not able to afford the cost of adequate housing and are not able to qualify for a standard mortgage. Their income however, must be stable and sufficient to provide the insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance of the home. Current income ranges which are adjusted for family size are:          

1 person $12,150 to $20,250   
2 persons $13,900 to $23,100   
3 persons $15,600 to $26,000   
4 persons $17,350 to $28,900   
5 persons $18,750 to $31,200   
6 persons $20,150 to $33,500   

For larger families, call the Habitat office for income ranges.   (810) 603-1366  

Application Process   

Orientation sessions are held twice a year for all persons who are interested in obtaining a home through Genesee County Habitat for Humanity. Applications are distributed at the orientation sessions, and must be completed and returned within two weeks. The Family Selection Committee will review applications and select families to be interviewed. Two members of the committee will interview selected applicants. After this first interview, the committee will recommend qualified families to the Executive Committee for further review.   

Personal references, employers and landlords will be contacted, and credit checks conducted before the final selections are made.  Persons who are selected by the Habitat Board continue working toward their goal of home ownership by fulfilling several requirements:  

1. The family must provide 75 hours of sweat equity on other Habitat projects before they are assigned a house. Homes are renovated or built as funds allow. Selected prospective    homeowners may wait from 9 to 18 months between selection and moving into their home.    
2. The prospective homeowner must also attend a series of maintenance workshops so they will have the skills necessary for maintaining their new home.      

Cost

The cost of the house varies, but will be based on the fair market value of the home after completion.  A down payment of 1% of the cost of the house is due at the time of closing.  Monthly payments, including taxes and insurance on the typical 20 year, no interest loan have ranged from $395 - $500.  

Building the House

Following the completion of the first 75 hours on other Habitat projects, the balance of 250 hours of sweat equity must be provided by the family on their home, or other Habitat activities before they are allowed to move in. Relatives and friends may also work on the house along side the Habitat family, with this time credited to the family's sweat equity. 

The work is not easy.  

Persons selected for home ownership should plan on working at the home site from the start of construction, and stay through to the finish. The work will range on-site construction to providing water to volunteers. Home-building skills are not required, but hard work and commitment are expected.

Final Requirements

Habitat expects the Homeowner's cooperation and participation in ground-breaking and dedication services, interviews with the press or whenever volunteers are working. After the sale of the home is final, homeowners must make monthly house payments, pay their own utility bills and take care of maintenance and repair. Habitat sells the house to the family. Habitat is not the landlord. Homeowners may make improvements to the home if they wish.

If the house is sold, the homeowner must pay the remainder of the note to Habitat at the time of the sale. After the Habitat family has lived in the home for 5 years, they must apply for a mortgage. If they qualify, they must refinance the house through the lender and pay off Habitat. (This enables Habitat to provide for other families who need affordable housing.) If they do not qualify for a mortgage, they continue as Habitat homeowners.  After the home is completed, Habitat likes to stay in touch with its homeowners. They are advised about maintenance, asked to serve on committees, assist in the office or work on other homes. An association of Habitat homeowners provides social and learning opportunities for each other.

Simple Picture Slideshow:
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