Home About Us Volunteer ReStore Donations Criteria For Home Ownership Committes
Tanzania Volunteer Activities Aluminum Cans Application Building Committe
Students Spotlight Church Relations Committe
Volunteer Form Family Selection Committe
Family Partner Committe

Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota - Mankato Chapter


Criteria for Homeownership Frequently Asked Questions

Criteria for Homeownership


The three standard criteria for choosing families/individual to be Habitat partners:


1. Degree of Need for Adequate Housing

  • Safety
  • Overcrowding
  • Affordablity (more than 30% of income going to housing)
  • Inability to obtain conventional homeownership - (Income Maximums)
2. Ability to Pay
  • Cost of housing should be a blessing, not a burden
3. Willingness to Partner with Habitat
  • Provide 300-500 sweat equity hours, dependant upon the size of the family 
  • Work with their Family Partner
  • Attend classes and Habitat meetings


 Habitat for Humanity is currently accepting new homeowner applications. We encourage interested families to call the Habitat office or click here for an online application. If you choose to download or print the application, please also download/print Application Part 2 (.doc Microsoft word format)


You will need Adobe Reader  in order to open the application online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly Payments What is sweat equity?
How many hours of sweat equity are required? House design and location
What is included in a typical house? What isn't included in a typical house?
What are the typical sizes of a house? Selling the house in the future
 

What are the monthly payments?

  • Approximately $500-$600 per month

 What is included in the monthly payments?

  • The monthly homeowner payments include the basic house payment as well as the property taxes and homeowner insurance, the homeowner insurance is sought out by the homeowner with appropriate arrangements made so that Habitat can make the actual payments from the homeowner account.
What is sweat equity?
  • Sweat equity hours are basically volunteer hours, they include work on the family’s house, other family houses, homeowner classes, money management classes, HFH office work, working at HFH events, providing meals or lunches for work crews, attending Building Committee meetings and meetings with Family Partners.
How many hours of sweat equity are required?
  • Each adult member sf the family is required to provide a minimum of 200 sweat equity hours. This includes at least 100 hours on their own home, at least 25 hours on other Habitat homes, and at most 25 hours in the ReStore.
What is the homeowner’s involvement with the design and location of the house?

Floor plans
Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota works with local architects in designing the house to look similar to those within the surrounding community. 

Location

The location of the house is dependant upon on the availability of affordable properties.  The homeowners will be designated a lot in direct correlation with homeowner acceptance and lot availability. 

 

Use of Materials in Warehouse
The philosophy of Habitat for Humanity International is to build simple, decent, affordable homes. In effort o adhere to this philosophy, HFH of South Central Minnesota relies on in kind donations and quantity discount purchases of materials.  To make use of quantity purchases it is necessary to require that homeowners utilize supplies and materials made available by HFH of South Central Minnesota prior to purchasing any items from outside sources. 
Donations of HFH or Homeowners
Donations made toward the construction of a house prior to dedication are considered donations made to HFH.  The costs of all in kind donations are added to the total cost the homeowner must pay for the house.  Gifts and donations or additions made to the house following the dedication are DONATIONS MADE TO THE FAMILY and are not accounted for in the cost of the house.  The distinction here is prior to and following the dedication of the home.

 What IS included in a typical house?

Basic Housing Specifications
HFHSCMN has identified criteria determining the materials and techniques that will be used to construct or rehabilitate a Habitat house in the most economical way. HFHSCMN will attempt to include the following elements in homes we build or rehabilitate:

  • Efficient use of Space               

  • Structural integrity and safety                 

  • Energy Efficiency

  • Security                                   

  • Low Cost                                 

  • Easy and low-cost Maintenance

     *All work will comply with all governing codes and authorities.

 

What is NOT included in a typical house?
The following is a list of items that will not be provided to the homeowner, they may however be installed at the cost of the homeowner after the house dedication:

  • Dishwasher

  • Special doors, trim work, or flooring

  • Special cabinets

  • Detached storage buildings

  • Garage ( unless required by covenant or city code) or carport

  • Fences

  • Deck

  • Freezer

  • Concrete patio

  • Basement

  • Additional phone, cable, or electrical outlets

What is the typical size of the house?
 The home shall be built from approved house plans unless site, covenants, family size or special circumstances warrants a deviation from those plans.
Size Slab-on-grade
2 bedrooms 900 sq. ft.
3 bedrooms 1070 sq. ft.
4 bedrooms 1230 sq. ft.
Utility/Storage Room 150 sq. ft.

What if the homeowner decides to move in the future?
Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota always gets the first chance to consider buying the house from the homeowner.  If Habitat does decide to purchase the house there is a policy in place that safeguards both the homeowner as well as Habitat from any possible negative actions.  If Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota does not wish to purchase the house it is the responsibility of the homeowner to handle the sale of their home.