get content from here: https://www.sussexcountyhabitat.org/homeownership
Homeownership
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
Qualifying for a home
Sussex County Habitat partner families are qualified through an extensive application process that considers the family's ability to pay a not-for-profit, affordable mortgage, demonstration of need for housing, and a willingness to partner by completing all program requiments needed to be a Habitat partner family. The applicant must live and/or work in Sussex County and maintain a steady and realiable source of income.
Ability to pay
The ability to pay a not-for-profit, affordable mortgage is demonstrated by having a gross income within the following guidelines:
- House cost burden ration - no more that 30% of gross monthly income.
- Total debt to income ratio - no more that 43% of gross monthly income.
- Under 60% of the AMI for Sussex County as set by HUD.
2020 HUD Monthly Income guidelines
| Family Size | Income Not Less Than (> 30% AMI) | Income No More Than (< 60% AMI) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330 | $2,660 |
| 2 | $1,520 | $3,040 |
| 3 | $1,710 | $3,420 |
| 4 | $1,897 | $3,795 |
| 5 | $2,050 | $4,100 |
| 6 | $2,202 | $4,405 |
| 7 | $2,355 | $4,710 |
| 8 | $2,505 | $5,010 |
Demonstration of need
The need for simple, decent, and affordable housing can be demonstrated in a number ways, including:
Substandard Living conditions:
- Structural defects
- Failure of one or more essential systems in the house (plumbing, electrical, and heating).
- Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions (mold, pest, etc.).
overcrowding
- The presence of more people or things in a space than is comforable,safe, or permissable.
homelessness:
- Persons who are sleeping in emergency shelters or places not meant for human habitation.
- Persons graduating from transitional housing programs or discharged from an instuttion or foster care.
- Victims of domestic violence.
Cost-Burden:
- More than 30% of gross monthly income is spent on shelter.
Willingness to partner
Families are asked to demonstrate their willingness to partner by:
- Participating in a thorough application process.
- Investing 200 hours (single head of household)/350 hours (joint head of household) of "sweat equity" to build your home and the homes of other Habitat partner families.
- Depositing a minimum of $2,500 in closing costs for the purchase of your home.
- Attending monthly pre-purchase education courses and financial coaching sessions.
- Paying off all delinquent dept prior to settlement.
- Being a positive Habitat ambassador in the community.
Application
To print and fill out the Application Form in English - CLICK HERE
Para espanol - CLIC AQUI