How Habitat for Humanity Works
Gifts of capital and materials are provided by volunteers. Houses are then built or renovated for people who do not qualify for conventional home loans. Most labor is done by volunteers and the families selected for the houses. Generally, they pay the purchase price back over a 20-year period, and no interest is charged on the balance due. Since many materials and services are donated, the cost is significantly lower than for conventional housing.
Families are chosen by a Family Selection Committee. The family selection process is impartial and non-discriminatory. Habitat does not discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Persons will be selected who are likely to be responsible about house payments and home maintenance, and who will help spread the good news of Habitat to their local community.

How Does the Family Qualify?

• Inadequate Living Conditions – Your present living conditions are inadequate, substandard, overcrowded, or unaffordable.
• Willingness to Partner with Habitat -You must be willing to partner with Habitat not only to help build your own home but to also build homes of others in the Habitat community. A minimum of 500 hours will be required of you and your family combined.
• Ability to Pay – You must prove by your income and/or employment history that you will be able to repay the cost of your home loan. Generally, houses will have a 20 year, interest free, no profit mortgage. The monthly payments will be approximately 25% of household income.
• Residency – applicants must presently reside in the Flagstaff area (within 20 miles of the center of town – Leroux and Route 66) and have lived in Flagstaff area for at least one year.

Who Builds the Habitat Houses?
House design and construction are overseen by the Construction Committee. The houses are built by volunteers, Habitat home buyers, and other members of the Habitat community, all under the supervision of professional builders.

What Are the Steps to Qualify for a Habitat House?

• First, you must complete the Application Form and send it to the Habitat Office at the address shown at the top of the page.
• The Family Selection Committee will review all applications.
• After review, you may then be interviewed by a financial counselor.
• Your references and personal credit may be checked by the Committee.
• Two members of the Family Selection Committee may interview your family in your present housing.
• You will be notified of your application’s status.
• The whole process may take several months before it is completed.

What Are the Financial Requirements?

• Inability to secure a conventional mortgage loan.
• Applicants whose household income is 30-50% of the median Flagstaff income could be considered for a 20 year, interest free, no profit mortgage.
• A minimum cash down payment of one percent of the value of the Habitat house will be required before the family can occupy the house.

Need More Help?
You may still have other questions. If so, or if you need help in completing the application, please contact the Family Selection Committee through the Habitat for Humanity of Flagstaff office at (928) 779-1314. We want you to be absolutely certain that you want to own a home in the Habitat community, and we will do our best to help you in any way we can.

Habitat for Humanity Income Guidelines
June 2003 (HUD)

% Income	1 person	2 persons	3 persons	4 persons	5 persons	6 persons	7 persons	8 persons
30	10,500	12,000	13,500	15,000	16,200	17,400	18,600	19,800
50	17,500	20,000	22,500	25,000	27,000	29,000	31,000	33,000
100	35,000	40,000	45,000	50,000	54,000	58,000	62,000	66,000