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Family Selection Process

Ever wonder about how families are chosen to be Habitat homeowners? Each month, the Orange County affiliate of Habitat receives approximately 100 inquiries for homeownership. Candidates for a Habitat House must meet and follow strict qualification guidelines. Among these guidelines are the desire, ability and commitment to put in many hours of "sweat equity" into their Habitat homebuilding project.  Please see Qualification Guidelines below.

The Family Selection Committee

Habitat's family selection committee is comprised of several dedicated volunteers — generous-hearted folks who donate countless hours of their time to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for deserving families. The process of selecting a homeowner family is a laborious one, but one done with generosity, sensitivity, and compassion.

Qualification Guidelines

If you think you might be eligible for a Habitat Home, read the following guidelines:

1. Your family does not have adequate housing and does not have the means to acquire long-term permanent shelter.
2. Your family has a steady source income and can demonstrate financial responsibility.

3. Your family annual gross income cannot be greater than the amounts listed below for the size of your family. The maximum income allowed may vary between 50% and 80% of the median income for Orange County, depending on location.  For example, if a development required a maximum of 50% of the median income, and your family earned over that amount, you would not quality for that development.

   	50%	80%
   For a family of 1, below:	$30,300	$48,500
   For a family of 2, below:	$34,650	$55,450
   For a family of 3, below:	$38,950	$62,350
   For a family of 4, below:	$43,300	$69,300
   For a family of 5, below:	$46,750	$74,850
   For a family of 6, below:	$50,250	$80,400
   For a family of 7, below:	$53,700	$85,950
   For a family of 8, below:	$57,150	$91,500

   
   

   You must make a minimum of $36,500 per family (annual gross income) including income from salary, wages, public assistance, alimony, and child support to pay back the Habitat mortgage on future homes that Habitat builds. For Habitat homes that become available for resale, the minimum family income requirement is $25,000.

4. Your family must have and maintain a good credit history. Habitat will check credit history through a credit report.
5. If your family has declared bankruptcy, it must have been discharged at least two years ago.
6. Your family must be able to make a down payment of approximately 1% of the home price and pay closing costs. This total amount is approximately $3,500.
7. If your family currently receives a housing subsidy such as HUD, you may still apply. However, if you are selected as a Habitat partner family, you will lose your housing subsidy funds.
8. Your family will be required to contribute 500 hours of labor ("sweat equity") to Habitat, through construction work; if needed, special accommodations are gladly made.
9. If you are legally married, but plan to apply to Habitat as a single person, your divorce must be finalized before we can consider your application.
10. Your family must be legal residents of the U.S.
11. Effective June 1, 2006, your family must live or work in Orange County to be eligible for consideration for a Habitat home.

Next Steps

If your family meets these qualifications, please come to a family orientation meeting. For answers to common questions, please consult our list of frequently asked questions.