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 180 homes in Alamance County.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Due to the overwhelming interest in our homeowner program in Alamance county and our current building capacity, the application process is closed at this time. We are diligently working with the current applications submitted from 2021-2022 to get them processed and those applicants through our program. We are hopeful to resume taking applications in the near future. If you have any questions about the homeowner program, call our office at 336-222-8191 ext. 2.
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 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 usually takes at least 3 months. Once you’re accepted into the program, it can take as long as 18–24 months from beginning to end under normal circumstances. The process starts when you apply for a Habitat home 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:
- Need for adequate housing
- Willingness to partner with Habitat Alamance
- Ability to repay 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, familial 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 1/2 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 age and gender of your children.
DO I GET TO CHOOSE WHERE MY HOUSE IS BUILT?
Once a participant earns their first 100 hours, they are allowed to choose from lots owned by Habitat Alamance. All lots are within Alamance County. They may be scattered within existing neighborhoods or in a neighborhood of Habitat houses. Because most of our lots are donated, the inventory changes from time to time.
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, that 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 HOMEBUYER ONCE APPROVED?
Homebuyers 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 the affiliate. (Education classes are counted toward required sweat equity hours)
WHAT IS SWEAT EQUITY?
At Habitat, sweat equity is a program requirement in which the homebuyer invests physical activity 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 that include 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.
Program Sweat Equity Requirements: 250 hours
WHAT IF I’M DISABLED?
Habitat doesn’t discriminate if you’re disabled, but 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 10 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 the sale of items from the ReStore are an important source of construction funds.
DOES HABITAT ALAMANCE MAKE MONEY ON THE HOMES BUILT?
No, Habitat does not make money on the homes we help build. Instead, monthly mortgage payments are used to help us build more Habitat homes for hardworking 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.
IF I COMPLETE THIS PROCESS, CAN I CUSTOMIZE MY HABITAT HOME?
At the beginning of the building process, you can choose the cabinet and shutter 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 and storage buildings and additions to your house must be approved by Habitat construction supervisor.
