Charleston Habitat for Humanity’s Family Services Committee members use the following guidelines to select families for home ownership:
1. Need for Adequate Shelter:
Housing need is defined as overcrowding, paying more than 30% of your salary in rent and utilities; 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 annual gross income must fall within the income guidelines listed below:
| Family Size |
Minimum Yearly Income |
Maximum Yearly Income |
| 1 |
14,315 |
24,540 |
| 2 |
16,345 |
28,020 |
| 3 |
18,410 |
31,560 |
| 4 |
20,440 |
35,040 |
| 5 |
22,085 |
37,860 |
| 6 |
23,695 |
40,620 |
| 7 |
25,340 |
43,440 |
| 8 |
26,985 |
46,260 |
These figures are from HUD for FY2008. If we receive the FY2009 figures before the April meetings, the income qualifications will be updated.
- Income must be sufficient to make monthly mortgage payments (approximately $375-$500)
- The applicant must be able to make a down payment of $1500 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 either the cities of Charleston or North Charleston.
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.
