Applying for a Home
What Should I Do First? After you've read this, and you've decided you might qualify, complete and mail our Habitat Home Application and required supporting documentation. You can also call the Habitat Office at 573-499-1202 and express your interest in becoming a Habitat Home Buyer.
What Happens Next? You will receive a call from the Family Relations Committee Chair who will put you on a mailing list.
>Where Do I Apply? When Habitat has building sites to offer, you will receive an invitation to an Informational Meeting where you will learn more about the Habitat Home Buyer program and you will fill out an application.
Do I Get To Choose The Building Site? Your invitation to the Informational Meeting will list the building sites that Habitat is taking applications for at that time. You may choose to apply or not, depending on suitability of the location for your family. You may not always get to pick a particular site within an area. You may stay on the mailing list to hear about other lots as they become available.
More Information
Will Habitat Do Credit Checks? Yes, Habitat will do Credit and Criminal Checks and will review Payment Histories for rent and utilities.
How Long Before I Know If My Family Has Been Selected? If Credit, Criminal Checks or Payment Histories are not satisfactory, you will receive a denial letter within 30 days. If the Credit, Criminal Checks or Payment Histories are satisfactory, an In-Home Interview will be scheduled with the family.
What Information On a Credit Check Might Not Allow My Application To Be Considered? Liens, judgments, multiple collection accounts, vehicle repossession, recent bankruptcy, unpaid child support, unpaid student loans.
What Information On a Criminal Check Would Not Allow My Application To Be Considered? A Drug Distribution Conviction and/or a Sexual Offense Conviction against a Minor.
What Information On Payment Histories Might Not Allow My Application To Be Considered? Multiple late payments, unpaid balances.
What Happens If I'm Approved? You'll be assigned a Habitat Partner, you will sign a Letter of Acceptance, you will receive worksheets to record work hours and you may go to work immediately on your sweat equity hours. A review of house plans with you will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Do I Have To Help Build? Yes. You must work a minimum of 250-300 (sweat equity) hours, which includes 7 workshops. You must complete 50 hours of sweat equity before work on your house begins. You must continue to work on your house until it is completed.
How Much Time Do I Have to Complete Sweat Equity Hours? All hours and workshops must be completed before a closing date is set for you to purchase your home.
What's The Total Maximum and Minimum Yearly Gross Income My Family Can Have?
| Family Size | Maximum | Minimum |
| Family of 8 | $49,920 | $24,950 |
| Family of 7 | 46,860 | 23,450 |
| Family of 6 | 43,860 | 21,900 |
| Family of 5 | 40,800 | 20,400 |
| Family of 4 | 37,00 | 18,900 |
| Family of 3 | 34,020 | 17,000 |
| Family of 2 | 30,240 | 15,100 |
| Family of 1 | 26,460 | 13,250 |
(You do not have to include child support.)
Maximum income is based on 50% of Columbia's Median Income.
Minimum income is based on 30% of Columbia's Median Income.
** Note: These income limits change yearly. (7/08)