Habitat Families

Habitat for Humanity families help build their own homes and those of other Habitat families. They are required to contribute at least 300 hours of "sweat equity" depending on the number of adults in a family. This is time spent helping build houses or volunteering for Habitat in other ways. Many families continue volunteering long after they have finished their required hours and moved into their homes.

 

 

A new lease on life...

Habitat for Humanity Monterey County selects families who live in substandard or overcrowded housing and whose income is between 30 and 70 percent of our regional median income, placing the focus on families who would have very little chance of becoming homeowners without Habitat. Habitat families are selected based on need for housing, ability to pay the mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat to build houses.

Our families take great pride in their homes. The families' success as homeowners can be measured in many ways. One can see it in the good care they take of their homes. Children's grades and personal expectations for their own lives often improve when they move from a substandard, crowded or highcrime situation into a simple, decent affordable home. Partner families gain not only equity, but also personal confidence and satisfaction from helping to build a house and then becoming proud homeowners.

You can download a PDF version of our questionnaire here. Please print and send to:
     Habitat for Humanity,
     Monterey County
     P.O. Box 742
     Seaside, CA 93955
If you have difficulty viewing the file, you can download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader here (for free).

Selection Guidelines

  • We do not descriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, family status, or national origin
  • The family must be a first-time homebuyer
  • The family must meet Habitat's current income guidelines
  • The family cannot qualify for conventional real estate financing
  • The family must show a history of steady income and an ability to repay the loan
  • The applicant, co-applicant, and additional wage earners must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States
  • Families are not selected until the property has been secured
  • The families will be selected from within Monterey County
  • At least 500 hours of "sweat equity" in building the home is required by each family, as well as the willingness and ability to maintain the home properly

 

Income Guidelines

Annual family income cannot exceed California State HUD limits for “very low” (50%) or “low” (80%) percentages of Monterey County Average Income for 2009:

     

    3 Persons $30,300 - $48,450

    4 Persons $33,650 - $53,850

    5 Persons $36,350 - $58,150

    6 Persons $39,050 - $62,450

     

    In addition, families should have a reliable source of monthly income approximately four times the expected Habitat house payment.  Based on our current construction cost estimates, family monthly income should be at least $3,700 - $4,300. Annual family income should be at least $44,400 - $51,600.