Blue Water Habitat For Humanity

Suggested items to bring with you:

1. Income tax records (or equivalent proof of income) for the last two years. (Three years if self-employed.)

2. Present Landlord's name and address.

3. Past Landlord's name and address if you have moved within the last two years.

4. Name and address of your present employer and former employer if you have changed jobs in the last year.

5. Record of monthly income and source.

6. Account numbers and balance of your checking and savings accounts.

7. List of active credit cards with amount of your unpaid balance and what you pay monthly.

8. List of any other debts and the amount you have acquired that are unpaid.

9. Copies of last month's bills.

10. Payment of $10.00 per adult in the household for a background check, at the time of application submission.

If you have questions, please contact the office at 810-985-9080 ext. 200

Homeownership could be a possibility for you and your family. We are currently looking for families who reside in St. Clair or Sanilac Counties. You can find out more about purchasing a home through Blue Water Habitat for Humanity by:

-Reading the Qualifications and Income Guidelines below. Please note: Each application is handled on a case by case basis.

-Completing and returning to BWHFH Homeownership Application. Click for our Homeownership Program Application. For hard copies call 810-985-9080 ext. 200 or come into the BWHFH office at 3524 Pine Grove Ave., Port Huron. Our offices are located inside the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

-Attending an Informational Meeting (dates and times vary. You will contacted for scheduling this meeting, once we receive your Homeownership Application). You can also attend an Informational Meeting without having completed an application. Several times a year we host public Homeowner Informational Meetings. Watch this webpage and the BWHFH calendar for dates and times for these scheduled meetings!

If you have any questions not answered on this web-page or would like additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call our Interested Homeowner Applicant Line at 810-985-9080 ext. 200. You may need to leave a message, please speak slowly and clearly and state your name and phone number during your message. Your phone call will be returned as soon as possible. The time frame for purchasing a Habitat home can occasionally be a lengthy procedure from the time you return a complete application. At the same time, it could be a relatively quick process. All applicants should take into consideration the time frame when applying and generally consider the process to take one to two years before purchasing and moving into your Habitat home. While the process is sometimes long, it is worth the wait. Habitat homeowners save a large amount of money over non-Habitat homeowners. It also provides a stable environment for your family to grow and flourish in. Habitat homeownership can also help you plan for the future better by providing financial breathing room by reducing your current housing cost burden. So, don't disqualify yourself just yet! Complete the Application Form, then schedule an individual/family Informational Meeting or attend an open to the public Informational Meeting to find out more and if your family qualifies. In the meantime, we would encourage you to volunteer with us; there's no better way for you to find out if you want to be a part of our program. If you are willing to help others then others will be more willing to help you in the future.

We have a two-part application process for our Homeownership Program. The first step is to start financial counseling. This is currently done through Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, HFHM. They have HUD certified financial counselors on their staff. They will have you fill out an intake packet that goes over your current income and expenses and pull a credit report. They are looking to see if you are currently mortgage ready or not. If you are not, they will help you through the steps to become mortgage ready. They are also able to let both us and you know what an affordable mortgage payment would be for you. You can start the process by filling out the intake packet here- https://hfhm.my.site.com/hfhmcft

Qualifications

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible to purchase a home form Blue Water Habitat for Humanity.NEED (AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS MUST BE PRESENT)

Inadequate Shelter

Inadequate current shelter because of problems with heating, water, electricity, or maintenance.
Inadequate number and size of bedrooms as determined by the number of persons in the household as well as the age and sex of these household members. For example: adolescent girls and boys sharing a bedroom or adolescent children sharing a bedroom with very young children, or babies, would meet this criterion.
Unsafe conditions. Lack of access to safe yard, street, and egress from present home. Physical environment problems such as hazardous or toxic materials.

Inadequate Resources

Lack of personal resources to buy, rent, or build adequate shelter; and
Inability to qualify for a VA, FHA, conventional or government loan.
Existing housing cost burden exceeds more than 30% of the household's gross monthly income.

INCOME: ABILITY TO PAY (ALL SIX REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET)

Fall within Blue Water Habitat for Humanity's income guidelines, which is between 40-60% of median income, adjusted for family size and updated annually. (SEE CHART BELOW)
Record of stable employment and/or other income for one or more years.
Enough income to pay house payment, insurance, taxes. You must also pay for utilities and all maintenance and repairs.
Ability to pay a down payment of $1,500 (one-time expense; payable over time up to 12 months).
Projected housing expenses will be less than or equal to 30% of gross monthly income.
Existing long-term debt is less than or equal to 40% of gross monthly income.

Note: Household income may be affected by home ownership. Example: Rent subsidies and welfare payments may cease if you own a house.

Based Upon A Family Size Of	St. Clair County- Minimum to Maximum Annual Income from all sources.	Sanilac County- Minimum to Maximum Annual Income from all sources
One	$22,400- $33,600	$18,080- $27,120
Two	$25,600- $38,400	$20,640- $30,960
Three	$28,800- $43,200	$23,240- $34,860
Four	$32,000- $48,000	$25,800- $38,700
Five	$34,560- $51,840	$27,880- $41,820
Six	$37,120- $55,680	$29,960- $44,940
Seven	$39,680- $59,520	$32,000- $48,000
Eight	$42,240- $63,360	$34,080- $51,120

PARTNER WITH HABITAT: (YOU MUST BE WILLING TO DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING)

Eagerness

Application requirements readily fulfilled
Willing participant in the home visit
Willingness to participate in Habitat functions
Attendance and participation in information meeting

Acceptance

Of sweat equity and its demands: 300 Hours of "Sweat Equity" (volunteer labor) per adult member of the household (500 hours for two or more adults in the household), of which at least 50% must be spent doing construction, unless special circumstances dictate otherwise (i.e. disability).
Of Habitat's house design criteria
Of financial responsibility of home maintenance and care.
Of the importance of monthly payments without default.
Of the expectations of the letter of acceptance.
Of Habitat's need for willing and active partners.

If you would like to learn more about Homeownership, call us 810-985-9080 ext. 200; or complete and return our Homeownership Application and we will contact you.

Equal Housing Opportunity Statement: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.