Apply for a Home

1. 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 service systems; heating system, or failure to meet city 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 present home.

2. The percentage of your monthly 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 Habitat interviewers.

3. You and your family will be considered if your annual total income is between 30-50% of the median income for Pickens County, or between $21,500 - $35,850 annually (these numbers are subject to change)

Income Guidelines (numbers subject to change)
Family Size	30% Median	50% Median
Four	$21,500	$35,850

Since you will actually be buying your house from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. The family will be expected to save a down payment of 2% of the cost of the house.

You must have lived in Pickens County for at least one year......AND......You must be a legal resident!

1. When selected, you become a "partner family." As a partner family you will be responsible for 200 - 400 hours of sweat equity. This sweat equity may be accomplished in construction of your house and the houses of others and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office and attending Homeownership Classes. The family can receive credit for a percentage of sweat equity hours put in by friends and relatives who join in the work.

2. You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you sign the mortgage.

3. After moving into your house, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you for the minimum of a six month period. This includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.

We do not send or accept applications through the mail. All potential applicants are required to attend an orientation - application meeting.

Watch for posters around town and notices in the Pickens Progress later this year or call us on 706-253-2393 and ask for your name to be put on our application notification list. You can also stop by our office at 135 CARES Drive on Monday or Friday only between 10 am and 3 pm. We are located behind the Thrift Store and next the CARES food bank. Once on our list, you will be notified when we schedule our next Application meetings.