Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity assesses families on the three following qualification criteria:  need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner.

Need:
Families will be considered for a Habitat for Humanity house if their present housing is not adequate, and if they are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.

Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure, such as inadequate water, electrical or sewage service systems, heating system, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards.  Also taken into consideration are the number, ages and sex of the children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.

The family’s percentage of monthly income that is currently spent on housing is considered in determining need.  Families will be required to be open and fully discuss their financial situation with the Habitat for Humanity interviewer.

Applicants must currently live in the city of Lynchburg and have done so for a minimum of one year.  Applications from outside of Lynchburg city are accepted at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  Your application will be considered if your family’s total income is no less than 35% of the Lynchburg area median income.  The maximum may not exceed 65% of the median income. 

For additional information regarding income, please contact the Family Services Manager.

Ability to Pay:

Since families actually buy their home from Habitat for Humanity, they must demonstrate their ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment.  This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but also payment for real estate taxes and insurance.

First, ask yourself these questions:

• Do I have enough income based on Habitat’s guidelines to pay the modest house payment for the 15-year payment period?
• Is my credit in reasonable shape? 

All applicants must have an acceptable credit history and minimal outstanding debt.

Willingness to Partner:

When selected, your family will become a partner family with Habitat for Humanity.  To become a partner family, you must complete 300 hours of volunteer work, or sweat equity, working on your house and the houses of others.  These hours must be completed before you can become a homeowner.

Sweat equity might include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers or working at the GLHFH office or ReStore.  As a partner family, you must complete 150 hours yourself.  Members of the community, friends, and family may assist you in completing the remaining 150 hours.  As a sign of good faith and in keeping with Habitat for Humanity’s mission of bringing all of God’s people together in partnership to build decent housing, at least 50 hours are to be spent working on the house of another family.     

The prospective homeowner (PHO) will sign a letter of intent and relationship agreement with GLHFH.

The PHO will attend six (6) homeowner classes, some with multiple sessions, from the time of acceptance until the closing of the home.