A GIFT TO HABITAT IS ONE THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

A typical Habitat home is 1,100 square feet with three bedrooms and 2 baths. Donated materials and volunteer labor keep the costs low. The sale price of each house averages $65,000-$70,000. Homeowner mortgage payments, taxes, and insurance average $350-$450 per month. “Sweat equity” is a very important part of any Habitat project; each family must spend at least 75 hours working on other Habitat homes or projects and 250 hours building their own home.

Family selection is based on:

• Need for adequate housing                                                                                                                                         
• Ability to pay                                                                                                                                                                                    
• A willingness to become a partner with Habitat.                                          

Thank you for inquiring about Habitat for Humanity home ownership.

Applications are accepted by appointment only.

LOCATION OF HABITAT OFFICE: 608 E. Second Ave., (Across from City Wrecker)
Telephone: 704-864-6536 Fax: 704-864-3139
Parking located on Avon Street. Please enter offices through Resale Store entrance.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Need of housing – present housing inadequate due to structural problems, inadequate heating, overcrowding, and crime-ridden environment that is unsafe for human habitation. Need for housing can also be determined if an applicant spends more than 50% of resources on housing, Habitat requires a home visit to determine need.

2. Ability to pay – Habitat’s no-interest, 15 to 30 year mortgages, require average monthly payments of between $350-450 a month, not including utilities. Approximately $800 for insurance and other closing costs is needed before occupancy. A steady source of income is required, $1,300 per month of gross household income is the minimum requirement. If income is from employment, the applicant must have worked at his/her current job for at least six months. Collections and legal judgments for debt must be paid before application can be completed.

3. Willingness to partner with Habitat – Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County requires homeowners to complete 325 hours of “sweat equity” work on their own homes and/or other Habitat projects. Seventy-five hours must be completed by homeowners before their home is started. Also required are timely house payments, attending family support sessions and good maintenance of the home and yard.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW:

1. The past month’s pay stubs for all wage earners who will live in the house.

2. If you are legally separated or divorced, a copy of your divorce or separation papers.

3. A listing of your current debts and obligations. This includes car payments, credit card debts, furniture bills, hospital and doctor bills and any other bills you pay each month.

4. Your current IRS tax return.

5. Your current credit report. Click here for the form to request your credit report.

(Adobe Reader required to view form. Click here to download)

6. Participation in the Consumer Credit Counseling program is required after application. To schedule an appointment please call, 704-862-0702. You must take your credit report to this appointment.

After gathering the above financial information, please call the Habitat Office at 704-864-6536 for an appointment and bring all the information with you. Please remember that you will be directed to participate in the Consumer Credit Counseling homebuyer program prior to any approval.