Charleston Habitat for Humanity’s Family Services Committee members use the following guidelines to select families for homeownership:
1. Need for Adequate Shelter:
Housing need is defined as overcrowding, paying 1/3 of your salary in rent; severe structural and mechanical defects, an unsafe neighborhood environment and inability to obtain conventional mortgage financing.
2. Ability to pay a monthly mortgage payment
The family’s total income should fall within the income guidelines listed below:
| Family Size |
Minimum Yearly Income |
Maximum Yearly Income |
| 1 |
13,825 |
23,700 |
| 2 |
15,875 |
27,060 |
| 3 |
17,780 |
30,480 |
| 4 |
19,740 |
33,840 |
| 5 |
21,315 |
36,540 |
| 6 |
22,890 |
39,240 |
| 7 |
24,465 |
41,940 |
| 8 |
26,040 |
44,640 |
These incomes reflect HUD’s guidelines for 35%-60% of the Median Household income ($56,400) for the Charleston County Area.
- Income must be sufficient to make monthly mortgage payments (approximately $350-$400)
- The applicant must be able to make a down payment of $1200 before occupying the house.
- Where there has been a history of debt the applicant must be making an effort to resolve unfavorable debt and credit issues
- The applicant’s debt to income ratio does not exceed 40%. (Debt will include projected mortgage payment with Charleston Habitat)
- After moving into their house the family is responsible for making monthly mortgage payments, monthly utility bills, and ALL household and maintenance expenses.
3. Willingness to partner
Families demonstrate their willingness to partner with Charleston Habitat by completing the required 500 hours of sweat equity. Families obtain hours by physically building their home as well as helping other partner families build theirs, participating in other Habitat related projects, and attending homeowner preparedness workshops.
Residency: Applicants must be either permanent residents or citizens of the United States. Interested families must live in Charleston County upon filling out the application.
Nondiscrimination: Families will be selected without regard to race, gender, religion, marital status, ethnicity or any other category for which discrimination in housing transactions is illegal.
