Apply for Housing

Income Guidelines

• All family members’ income is included in the calculation of a family’s total gross YEARLY income.
• Income shall include the following: SSI, SSDI, wages, retirement, alimony, VA benefits, and court ordered child support.
• Income guidelines are listed by family size. The income listed in “Max Income” may be reviewed at discretion of Selection Committee.

Applicants Must Have:

• A steady, reliable source of income (2 year history) and demonstrate financial responsibility
• The ability to pay a monthly housing payment up to 30% of gross monthly income (taxes and insurance included)
• A maximum debt-to-income ratio of 43%
• The ability to pay projected monthly utilities (electric/gas/water/sewer)
• NOT filed for bankruptcy within the past 2 years
• A credit history free from outstanding collections, liens or judgments that cannot reasonably be paid off by the completion of the home build
• Remain financially able to obtain a mortgage from a third-party lender from the time of partnership through transfer of ownership. TIAHFH does not offer mortgage financing. Adverse changes in financial situation may result in deselection from the home ownership program.

For Brush with Kindness projects:

• A down payment of $100 is required
• Financing will be offered for approved projects at 0% interest for terms up to twelve (12) months
• A discount of 10% or $100 will be offered if the principal balance is paid in full within sixty (60) days
• Available for owner occupied homes only.

• Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity is not offering mortgage financing.

  Thousand Islands Area Habitat for Humanity is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Need is determined by a family’s current living condition. Some examples of a need are outlined below (this list is not all-inclusive):

• Structural/mechanical problems in building
• Visible holes or large cracks, leaks, hazardous/toxic materials, electrical problems, plumbing problems or lack of proper insulation
• Inadequate sleeping arrangements: More than 2 people per room of different gender or sleeping on floors due to overcrowding
• Unsanitary conditions or health risks (mold/mildew infestation)
• Insect/rodents infestation
• Temporary or transitional housing such as family currently living with relatives, family in emergency shelter or homelessness
• Current housing does not meet the physical needs due to disabilities

Family Selection will determine if the need you provide qualifies under the needs requirements.

Partnering families have many opportunities to show a willingness to partner. This begins from the moment you send in a prescreen. Every time a family shows up to their appointment, sends in documentation when needed and maintains their monthly status with in these guidelines, they show a willingness to partner!

With the help of volunteers, partner families help build and renovate the places they will call home. They attend financial education and budget planning classes. Some help at the local Habitat ReStore or help out in the local Habitat office. We call this “sweat equity” and you will be required to keep track of your hours.

• A two-adult household is required to perform a minimum of 500 hours
• A single-adult family is required to complete 300 hours
• 100 sweat equity hours may be completed by family and friends
• For Brush with Kindness projects only, sweat-equity requirements are equal to 75% of the estimated project time. For example, if the project is estimated to take 40 hours the sweat-equity requirement would be 30 hours.
• Families are required to complete the First Time Home Buyers Course
• Hours must be completed before a partner family can purchase a home
• An adult is considered anyone over 18 years old
• Sweat equity hours have no monetary value. If a partner family withdraws or is deselected from the home ownership program, there is no compensation for sweat equity hours.

Partnering families are proactive not passive… investing not receiving. Habitat and the families who partner with us understand that a home is a far-reaching investment. A home is a strong foundation on which the families who partner with Habitat can grow and thrive.