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Florence, Oregon |
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Florence, Oregon |
Family selected for future Habitat Keener Place house, FHFH #23. Brandon & Brittany Moore and sons Joshua & Noah.
HOW TO BECOME A HABITAT HOMEOWNER
About once a year, Florence Habitat has a family selection process which seeks to identify families who want to work with Habitat to become homeowners. The following information answers questions about how to become a Habitat homeowner.
General Information for Applicants
Florence Habitat is not receiving applications for home ownership at this time. Sometime in late 2007 or 2008, a new selection process will begin. A series of informational meetings will be publicized to start the process.
At the meetings, homeowner applications will be available.
After completing the application and procuring the necessary documents,
applicants call Habitat for a meeting with a member of the Family Selection Committee.
When all the supporting documents are submitted,
the Family Selection Committee evaluates the applications and makes a recommendation to the Board.
What is the purpose of Florence Habitat for Humanity?
The Florence affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International is building basic, decent housing in the Florence-area in partnership with selected low-income residents who are in need.
How does Habitat work?
The Florence affiliate will select Partner Families and build homes using as much volunteer labor and materials as possible. The Partner Families will contribute to the success of the project by working closely with Habitat personnel. No down payment is required but there probably will be some moderate closing costs. After a Partner Family moves into the home, they repay Habitat over a 30 year period with a payment schedule of no more than 30% of their income.
How is a family selected to become a Partner Family?
All applicants must have lived or worked within the Florence Fire District for one year before applying (see enclosed map). Applications received will be thoroughly checked to determine family need. Other things that will be considered are the ability to repay and the willingness to partner. After evaluating the completed applications and conducting credit and reference checks, three to five applicants will be selected for home visits. After the home visits, one family and a back-up family will be selected from those visited. We plan on building more houses in the future here in Florence and those applicants not selected during the current application period are encouraged to apply in the future.
What is considered in determining family need?
Habitat considers a family to be in need if their current housing or living space is inadequate or their housing costs are excessive.
When is current housing considered inadequate?
If the applicant's current housing has serious problems that can't be corrected without spending a great deal of money (or, in the case of renters, the landlord won't fix them), the housing is considered inadequate. This would include problems with heating, plumbing, electrical or safety, such as rotting wood and other obvious defects. It is also inadequate if it doesn't meet the needs of a disabled family member.
When is living space considered inadequate?
If the applicant's current dwelling doesn't have at least 150 square feet per person, it is considered inadequate. Also, if boys and girls over 7 have to share a bedroom or if more than 3 people have to share a bedroom, it is inadequate, as is a family member having to sleep in a space that is not a bedroom. Lack of indoor bathroom facilities means the dwelling is inadequate. Finally, an applicant living in temporary housing, such as with a relative or in a motel, has inadequate housing.
When are housing costs considered excessive?
If housing costs, including house payments (or rent), taxes, and insurance take more than half of the family income, housing costs are considered excessive. Family income includes wages, public assistance, child support, food stamps, alimony and all other income.
What are the income guidelines for an applicant to be considered further?
This depends on family size. The table below shows the minimum and maximum income guidelines, for the Florence area at this time, for selecting the Partner Family. If an applicant does not meet the minimum income, it may not be possible for the applicant to meet the mortgage payments. Applicants exceeding the maximum income may be eligible to obtain mortgages through regular lenders. These figures are guidelines only and some flexibility will be used in considering applicants.
2006 Income Guidelines - These figures will be changed for the next selection process.
| Family Size | Minimum Annual Income | Maximum Annual Income |
| 1 Person | $11,500 | $23,000 |
| 2 People | $13,100 | $26,200 |
| 3 People | $14,750 | $29,500 |
| 4 People | $16,400 | $32,800 |
| 5 People | $17,700 | $35,400 |
| 6 People | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| 7 People | $20,350 | $40,700 |
| 8 People | $21,650 | $43,300 |
