Apply for a Home

You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure; water, electrical or sewage service systems; heating system, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards. Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages and the sex of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.
The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with Habitat Interviewers.
You and your family will be considered based on your annual total income as compared to the median income for Iberia Parish.

2008 Guidelines
	Minimum	Maximum
	$18,000	$31,500

These income requirements are general guidelines, applicants with income outside of this range will also be considered.

Applicants will need to supply copies (NOT Originals) of all the following, if applicable:

Most recent pay stubs.
Most recent tax return.
Verifications of all other income and benefits. (food stamps, SSI, SSD, TANF, etc.)
Child support verification.
Bankruptcy information/discharge papers.
Two most recent rent receipts.

If you would like to learn more about homeownership, call us at (337) 367- 3083.

Ability to Pay
Since you will actually be buying your house from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. The family will be expected to save a down payment of 1% of the cost of the house.

Requirements:

You must have lived in Iberia Parish for one year.

You must be a legal resident.

Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat

When selected, you become a "partner family". As a partner family you will be responsible for 500 hours of sweat equity. This sweat equity may be accomplished in construction of your house and the houses of others and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office and attending Homeownership Classes. Each family member signing the mortgage must complete 25% of the total required hours. The family can receive credit for the remaining sweat equity hours put in by friends and relatives who join in the work.
You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you sign the mortgage.
After moving into your house, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you for the minimum of a six month period. This includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.