Homeowner

Are you looking for an affordable, simple, decent home?

Would you like to help lower income families find affordable housing? The Family Selection Committee of Habitat for Humanity North Shore is searching for lower income families to occupy the eight affordable housing units that HFH-NS is currently building in Peabody, Massachusetts. Habitat for Humanity homeownership provides secure affordable housing to low-income individuals who have been living in substandard housing. Habitat for Humanity believes homeownership is a vital step in creating self-esteem and empowerment in both families and neighborhoods, and is the most basic way to break successive generations of poverty.

In order to become a homeowner through our program, you must meet these initial criteria:

• You must be a resident of or be employed within Beverly, Danvers, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Salem, Saugus, Swampscott or Topsfield for at least 12 months consecutively prior to the date of application.  If you do not meet this requirement, you can search the Habitat International website for the local affiliate in your area. (www.habitat.org)
• You must be a legal resident of the United States.
• Partner families must earn adequate income to repay the mortgage. Your total yearly income must fall within our income guidelines, which are adjusted for family size. For instance, the range for a family of 4 would be $36,080 - $54,120
• The total gross household income (the amount before taxes or other deductions) must fall within the range posted below.  Income includes wages, SS, disability, SSI, food stamps, TANF and consistent child support.

You must have good credit.

All financial information is kept in strictest confidence.

In addition to meeting the financial guidelines, applicants must demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of the "sweat equity" requirement.  The family must be willing to  partner with Habitat for Humanity, working 400 "sweat equity" hours, helping to build their home and other families’ homes. In return, HFHNS will provide a no-profit mortgage with no interest for 20-30 years. A portion of the sweat equity hours will be homeowner education and/or financial responsibility classes on topics such as credit/budget, lawn maintenance and preparing a will.

If you know of a family that may meet these requirements and would like to receive an application packet, please contact Gary Cowles at homeowner@habitatforhumanity-northshore.com or telephone (781) 598-0310 and leave your name, address and telephone number. If you are interested in learning more about our family selection process or volunteering for our Family Selection Committee, please visit www.habitatforhumanity-northshore.org for more information.

Or e-mail us at: homeowner@habitatforhumanity-northshore.com