Who Qualifies for a Habitat home?
• Need for affordable housing – defined by a family income that is below the government set Low Income Cut-Off for their particular region, and exisiting living conditions that are inadequate in terms of structure, cost, safety or size. The ratio of shelter expense to total income is also factored. • Ability to repay a Habitat mortgage – requires that the family has a stable income sufficient to cover the monthly mortgage payments and other expenses that come with home ownership. • Willingness to partner with Habitat – by contributing 500 hours of volunteer labour (“Sweat Equity”) towards the build of their home. How are Partner Families chosen? Partner Families are chosen on the basis of the above criteria. Family selection occurs at the local affiliate by way of an application process. What do families contribute and what do they receive in return? In addition to mortgage payments, each homeowner invests their own labour “sweat equity” to build their home and other Habitat homes. In
