Partner Family Qualifications
Habitat for Humanity of the Indian Wells Valley (HFH IWV) selects Partner Families based on the following three criteria:
- Need for adequate shelter
- Ability to pay
- Willingness to partner
Need for Adequate Shelter
Structural Safety, Integrity and Mechanical Function. Present housing is considered inadequate if:
- Family and friends are unable to readily repair deficiencies and landlord is unwilling to complete necessary repairs.
- Heating and cooling system does not provide for healthful, comfortable and affordable living.
- Plumbing does not provide a continuous supply of safe water or a safe/sanitary method of sewage disposal.
- Electrical supply is not reliable or poses a threat to safety.
- Access to street, yard, parks or playgrounds is hazardous.
- Uncorrectable barriers to physically challenged family members exist.
Size of Living Quarters. Present housing is considered inadequate if:
- In general, more than three family members share a bedroom.
- School-age children of opposite sex share a bedroom.
- Each family member has less than 100 square feet of space in which to live.
- The home does not have separate kitchen and living rooms.
Temporary Housing. Present housing is considered inadequate if:
- Family has tentative living arrangements with relatives or friends.
- Family is living in a transitional housing facility or a motel.
- Family is living in a house that is being condemned, sold, or moved.
- Family is losing its lease, certificate or voucher due to uncontrollable circumstances.
- Family is living in a car, tent or similar quasi-homeless situation.
Cost of Housing. Present housing is considered inadequate if the family is paying more than 30% of its gross income for rent or house payment, including taxes and insurance (not including utility and phone costs.)
Conventional Financing. A family can be considered to meet this criterion if the family is unable to obtain conventional financing from banks or other markets.
Ability to Pay
The following factors will determine whether applicants have resources necessary to purchase housing with Habitat.
Minimum Income Guideline. A family meets this criterion if:
- Family has reliable (at least four years) total household (all persons over age 18) gross income that is equal to, or greater, than the minimum income guidelines. (View Family Selection Income Guidelines.)
- The Family income includes: (a) employment pay, (b) retirement income, (c) public assistance, (d) disability pay, (e) child support, (f) alimony, and (g) income from assets or other legitimate activity.
- Debt to Income Ratio. A family meets this criterion if the its total non-housing debt payment does not exceed 10% (ideally) of family income.
- Monthly Payment Consistency. A family meets this criterion if the family has demonstrated the ability to make regular monthly payments for rent, utilities and all other credit obligations.
- Liens and Judgments. A family meets this criterion if the family has no liens or judgments that cannot be cleared prior to closing.
- Closing Costs. A family meets this criterion if the family has available, or can accumulate prior to closing, the amount needed to meet the down payment, utility deposits, homeowner insurance premium, moving costs and other incidental expenses occurring at time of closing.
Willingness to Partner
The following factors will determine whether families are willing to partner with Habitat:
Eagerness. A family can be considered willing if:
- Family is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and a resident of the Indian Wells Valley.
- Family took initiative to obtain and complete the application.
- Family provided necessary documentation.
- Family readily cooperated in home visit.
- Family attended Habitat functions.
- Family members expressed desire to make this community their permanent home.
- Family is comfortable with credit and landlord reference evaluations.
Understanding. A family can be considered willing if:
- Family participated in explanation of what Habitat is.
- Family knows it is responsible for care of home.
Realization. A family can be considered willing if:
- Family realizes the sweat-equity requirement and demands.
- Family realizes implications of a highly publicized program.
- Family realizes the implication of living in a community property state.
- Family realizes that it must make payments monthly without default.
- Family realizes the equity sharing mechanism.
- Family realizes that Habitat needs it as an active partner.
Sweat Equity Defined