Becoming a Partner Family Becoming a Partner Family
How to Qualify as a Habitat "Partner Family"
Darke County Habitat for Humanity is a small Habitat affiliate that is currently building about two homes per year. There is a much greater need for housing in Darke County, and the competition for a Habitat home is sometimes great. When considering families with which to partner........
Need for housing
Applicants must have a need for housing, which can be defined as living in conditions where the housing is too small (children of the opposite sex are forced to share one bedroom because of lack of space), living with relatives because affordable housing cannot be found, or housing conditions that are deficient (for instance, missing windows, leaking roofs, excessive mold, etc.)
Ability to pay
When the home is complete, partner families do have to pay a mortgage payment to Darke County Habitat for Humanity. The family selected must have a regular source of income that falls within 25 to 50 percent of the median Darke County income. Please call the Habitat office at 548-3635 for current, exact income qualifications.
Typical mortgage payments range from $250 to $400 per month, depending on the family’s income. There is no down payment on the mortgage, although the partner family does have to pay closing costs to an attorney upon mortgage closing (approximately $450). This money is set aside during the construction process. There is no interest on mortgage, and the majority of the family’s payment is applied directly to the principal amount of the mortgage, with the exception of real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
The cost of a typical Habitat home in Darke County is $45,000.
Willingness to Partner
All partner families MUST complete 500 hours of "sweat equity" before the mortgage closing on their home. Of the 500 hours, 100 can be completed by extended family and friends, but 400 of the hours must come from the family themselves. If the family is not physically able to work on the construction of the home itself, the family must complete "sweat equity" hours in other ways (i.e. making phone calls, distributing flyers, helping with fundraising, etc.)
A "willingness to partner" also means that the family is willing to receive a certain amount of publicity and must realize that their picture may be in newspapers, Habitat newsletters, or on the Habitat sign in front of the home.
Families are able to pick some of the features of their Habitat home, including a floor plan that meets the family’s needs, as well as other details. Some of the features of the home are determined by Habitat for Humanity International, and Darke County Habitat for Humanity must follow these guidelines. For instance:
All homes must be "decent and basic" in nature and cannot include extravagant items.
Homes must not exceed 1200 square feet in size.
Garages cannot be included with the home.
If you feel that your family may qualify for a Habitat home and you are interested in an application, please call the Habitat office at 937-548-3635 to receive additional information. The selection process may take two to three months.