Become A Homeowner

Racine Habitat for Humanity, Inc., is a non-profit volunteer organization that works in partnership with families in need of decent affordable housing. Eligible families are offered the opportunity of home ownership at the cost of material with a no-interest mortgage. Volunteers work with the family to re-hab or build a house. Monies to support this work come from donations from churches, corporations, foundations, grants and individuals. Family selection for a completed house is based on available properties and current candidate situations.

Criteria

Families are expected to meet certain criteria, which include but are not limited to the following:

Willing to partner with Racine Habitat
Complete 300 hours of "sweat equity" at a Habitat site
Provide complete information regarding credit reports, employment status, etc.
Need for decent, affordable housing
Participate in home interview to determine current housing conditions
Ineligible for conventional bank mortgage
Demonstrate financial responsibility
Show adequate income to cover house payments, taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance expenses.
Show proven ability to handle finances in a timely and responsible manner.

Orientation Meeting

To apply for a Habitat home, call 637-9176, and ask to be placed on our Orientation Meeting list. The meetings are held about every two months. You will fill out an application and a number of other papers that need your signature. You will receive a letter a few days before the meeting indicating the date, time, location, and what you need to bring. A list of those items follows:

Social Security Cards for both applicant and co-applicant
Employment History, including employer's names and addresses for the last two years; income and dates of employment
Other Income Information from sources other than employment
Checking and Savings Accounts, including names of financial institutions, addresses, account numbers and balances
Living Expenses, including Rent Information, landlord's name, address, rent amount, monthly cost of heat, electric, water, telephone, cable, car insurance, food, etc.
Credit Information, including names and balances of all loans, credit cards, medical bills, monthly installment payments, etc.
Federal Tax Returns from previous two years
Finance Information Related to Divorce or Separation Status, such as a copy of divorce decree or maintenance agreement, payment history of alimony or child support payments, etc.

Copies of your income tax returns and any documents that explain divorce decrees, child support payments, custody arrangements, alimony or any assistance that you receive (AFDC, SSA, SSI, etc.) will not be returned.

Because there are a large number of interested people and limited space, please do not plan to bring children to the orientation meeting.

If you would like to use an interpreter to help complete your application, please arrange to bring someone with you or check to see if Habitat has an interpreter for your language before coming to the meeting.