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CRITERIA
The Habitat program is designed for low-income families who are
committed to building a better place to raise their families. Becoming
a Habitat homeowner is not a solution for families facing a housing
crisis that involves finding a new place to live right away. (Anyone
in this situation is urged to contact their local municipality or dial
2-1-1 for a referral.)
A potential Habitat homeowner is:
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Currently and for the prior year either living or working in Hunterdon, Somerset, or one of the
adjacent counties (Bucks, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Union, and
Warren)
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Currently living in inadequate housing or paying rent that is too high
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Unable to obtain a regular bank mortgage or qualify for other
available housing programs
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Able to afford payment of utilities, taxes, insurance, maintenance
expenses and the repayment of the interest-free mortgage
To qualify, family income (from all
sources) must be at least $30,000, and must also fall within the
2010 NJ-COAH income guidelines based on Family size.
|
Family Size
|
Minimum
Income
|
Maximum
Income
|
|
2
|
$30,000*
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$40,800
|
|
3
|
$30,000*
|
$45,900 |
|
4
|
$30,600
|
$51,000
|
|
5
|
$33,048 |
$55,080
|
|
6
|
$35,496 |
$59,160
|
In selecting families, Habitat does not discriminate on the basis of
age, sex, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability,
national origin, or family status.
* Minimum income level used for 2 and 3 person households to be
considered for a RVHFH home is higher than NJ-COAH income guideline
to ensure RVHFH homeowners have enough income to meet expected
financial obligations.
The Basic Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be willing to work on their own home and the homes of others in
the Habitat community (this work is called “Sweat Equity”)
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Complete their Sweat Equity requirement before they can purchase
the house
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For a two-adult family, contribute 500 hours of Sweat Equity (a
maximum of 200 hours of this work could be done by friends or
relatives)
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Or, for a one-adult family, contribute 250 hours of Sweat Equity
(a maximum of 100 hours of this work could be done by friends or
relatives)
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Prove that they have sufficient income to cover the repayment of
the mortgage and all living expenses
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Be willing to live in a racially integrated neighborhood
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Give evidence of marital status (because of legal ramifications,
we cannot sell to individuals separated from their spouses)
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Attend Somerset County Coalition of Affordable Housing's (SCCOAH)
excellent and free "Step by Step"
seminar
Partner Families
Process
Resources
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