DOES HABITAT ALAMANCE GIVE HOMES AWAY?
No. Habitat Alamance provides qualifying households the opportunity to purchase affordable homes.
HOW MANY HOMES HAS HABITAT ALAMANCE BUILT?
Since 1988, Habitat Alamance has built and renovated more than 190 homes in Alamance County.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Visit the Homeownership Program tab and complete the Pre-Application Questionnaire. Read all the information regarding our program as well.
WHAT ARE THE INCOME GUIDELINES?
The income guidelines for Alamance County are defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These figures include any documentable income: employment, public assistance, Social Security, Disability, child support, etc. There is a minimum income and a maximum income depending on the size of your family. More information here.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS FOR PURCHASING A HABITAT HOME?
The application process can take 3 to 6 months. Once you’re accepted into the program, it can take as long as 18 to 24 months from beginning to end under normal circumstances. The process starts when you submit a Pre-Application Questionnaire and finishes when you and your family move into your new home.
DO APPLICANTS HAVE TO HAVE CHILDREN OR BE MARRIED TO PURCHASE A HOME THROUGH HABITAT ALAMANCE?
No. Applications are selected on three criteria, and they are verified by a visit from our Family Selection Committee. Criteria: need for adequate housing, willingness to partner with Habitat Alamance, and ability to pay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
Habitat Alamance is an equal housing opportunity provider. We do not discriminate for any reason related to race, sex, national origin, religion, family status, disability, or color.
WHAT TYPES AND SIZES OF HOMES ARE AVAILABLE?
Habitat Alamance builds one-story homes that are 2 to 4 bedrooms with 1.5 to 2 baths, central air conditioning and heating. All our homes are around 1100 sq ft regardless of the number of bedrooms. We determine number of bedrooms you qualify for based on ages and genders of your children.
DO I GET TO CHOOSE WHERE MY HOUSE IS BUILT?
Available locations are limited to land we currently own and for which we have received the necessary construction permits. We will discuss location options with participants once they’ve accepted into our program. Participants waiting for a specific lot from our inventory may be in the program longer due to the permit process. All lots are within Alamance County. They may be scattered within existing neighborhoods or in a neighborhood of Habitat houses.
ARE HABITAT ALAMANCE HOMES SAFE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT?
Yes, all the homes we build are safe and energy efficient. Our homes are Energy Star qualified, which means they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, each home passes all city and state building inspections during construction and prior to closing.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF A HOMEOWNER ONCE APPROVED?
Homeowners are expected to complete the required Sweat Equity hours in building their home and the homes of others, pay modest closing costs, and attend homeowner education classes with us. Education classes are counted toward the required Sweat Equity hours.
WHAT IS SWEAT EQUITY?
Sweat Equity is a program requirement in which the homeowner invests physical labor in building their home or one for another family. Sweat Equity is not a form of payment, but it is an opportunity to work alongside volunteers who give their time to bring to life a family’s dream of owning a home. Sweat Equity can take many forms including construction work on the homebuyer’s home or on a home for another family, cleaning up the build site, working in a Habitat ReStore, assisting in administrative duties, or countless other ways of helping out. Homeownership Program Sweat Equity Requirements: 250 hours must be completed before home closing.
WHAT IF I’M DISABLED?
Habitat doesn’t discriminate if you’re disabled, and Sweat Equity requirements may be modified to your abilities. Your home may also be modified to accommodate you or a disabled family member.
CAN FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS PITCH IN TO MEET THE REQUIRED SWEAT EQUITY HOURS?
Yes, family members and friends can help and are encouraged to pitch in. Up to 40 hours of their work counts toward your required Sweat Equity hours.
HOW DOES HABITAT ALAMANCE PAY FOR CONSTRUCTION COSTS?
Habitat Alamance relies on the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and mortgage payments from existing Habitat homeowners to help build homes. In addition, proceeds from ReStore sales are a source of construction funds.
DOES HABITAT ALAMANCE MAKE A PROFIT ON THE HOMES BUILT?
No, Habitat does not make a profit on the homes we help build. Instead, monthly mortgage payments are used to help us build more Habitat homes for families.
HOW DO YOU CALCULATE MORTGAGE PAYMENTS? (FOR NEW HOMES & RECYCLED HOMES)
The monthly mortgage payments are calculated based on the appraised home value over a loan term not to exceed 30 years. Mortgage payments for a Habitat home do not exceed 30% of the household income.
CAN I CUSTOMIZE MY HABITAT HOME?
At the beginning of the building process, you can choose the cabinet and siding colors, the type of flooring, and a few other options. Once you close on your home and move in, you can make changes as any other homeowner would make, subject to city ordinances. Until your mortgage loan is paid off, fencing, storage buildings, and additions to your house must be approved by our Habitat Construction Manager.
