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Habitat is not a hand-out, but rather a hand-up!
 Selected families must be willing to pay back a no-interest Habitat mortgage, and to partner with us by providing sweat equity contributions towards the building of their new house and the Habitat community. Income received from their mortgage payments is re-cycled to build more houses. Partner families are selected from residents of our community who are now living in sub-standard housing and have family income less than 80% of the local median income.
Habitat will look at three distinct areas when reviewing potential “partner families”.
- Your family's actual housing need, based on suitability of your current shelter.
- Your current income and ability to pay for a Habitat house.
- Your willingness to participate as a “partner” with Habitat.
If you or someone you know is in need of decent, affordable housing, please call our office (340-714-5678) for more information about the process of applying for Habitat home ownership. Please come to our information sessions to receive an application.
| Family Selection Criteria 1-2-3 |
| 1. Need |
You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure, water, electrical or sewage systems or failure to meet public property maintenance standards. Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages, and the sex of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your home.
The percentage of your income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with a Habitat interviewer.
You must currently live in the U.S. Virgin Islands, for at least one year.
Your family will be considered if your total income does not exceed:
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| 2. Ability to Pay |
| Since you will actually be buying your home from Habitat you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but also the payments for the real estate taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. |
| 3. Being A Habitat “Partner” |
When selected, you become a “partner family” in the Habitat movement. Your volunteer assistance in constructing your home and the homes of others is called sweat equity, and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, or working in the Habitat office. As a “partner family”, you must complete 350 hours of sweat equity, before moving in. Your family can receive credit of up to 30% by applying time put in on your behalf by friends and relatives who join in the work.
After moving into the home, the Family Support Committee will help you with financial counseling and household maintenance education. The new home owners are responsible for maintenance and repairs of the house from the time they move into the home.
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f you or someone you know is in need of decent, affordable housing, please call our office for more information about the process of applying for Habitat home ownership.
The selection of families who will purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity of the U.S. Virgin Islands will be done by the Family Selection Committee using these criteria in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, martial status, or because all or part of the application's income is derived from public assistance programs.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
Thank you for caring! |
