HOME OWNERSHIP

Habitat for Humanity keeps homes affordable by using as much volunteer labor and donated materials as possible. Houses are sold at no interest and no profit to families whose income does not allow them to buy a house through conventional methods, but is sufficient to purchase a no-profit, zero-interest loan Habitat for Humanity house.

Hi, we're Tony and Alysa and we wanted to say "thank you" to Oconee County Habitat for Humanity upon becoming Habitat homeowners in 2024.   We want to say thank you to Mama Jan for being our family partner.  We really believe that God made you our family partner for a reason.  And we are so thankful for you! And for all the Habitat for Humanity workers - from the ReStore to the builders teaching us how to build stuff.  To the classes we took and learned about saving money and just so much more.  It really means more than y'all know to have such great people beside us through the whole process.  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to put in so much work to get a home.  A place to call home; a place to call OURS!  We just couldn't thank y'all enough for letting us be a part of your Habitat family. 

Tony & Alysa

APPLICANT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS TO BE CONSIDERED:

  • The applicant(s) must be resident(s) of Oconee County for a minimum of one year before he/she/they can submit an application.

  • Applicant's current housing must be sub-standard or inadequate for the family size.

  • There must be sufficient stable, verifiable household income in order to make monthly payments of principal and to a tax and insurance escrow account. If employed you should be in your current job for a minimum of six months or have a history of steady employment. Applicant(s) do not need to be employed to qualify but need a steady source of income such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Disability Insurance Income or Court-ordered child support or alimony.

  • If applicant(s) is/are separated and not legally divorced, or if they have a judgement for unpaid debt or have recently gone through bankruptcy - the application cannot be considered.

  • Income guidelines used specify that total income be within 35%-65% of the local area median income.

  • Applicants must demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat. All families are required to complete 250 hours of sweat equity, the hands-on work of Habitat. Either family or friends can perform a portion of the total hours required. Partnership also means that the approved applicant(s) will pay their mortgage on time, attend programs to learn and practice budgeting, home repair and maintenance.

Application Process:

If you are interested in Habitat and believe you might qualify for a home according to the above guidelines, you must obtain a packet of information. The packet will include the information necessary for the pre-application process, the above-required information, and release forms. Please note: the application process may only be open during a specific time of year based on housing availability and the build cycle. 

Step 1:

After you complete your pre-application, the Family Selection Committee will review it. The initial assessment will involve carefully reviewing your income, current debt, and credit history. We will confirm employment and other income, verify checking and savings account balances, get statements from your current and previous landlords, and obtain a credit report. We may also ask for credit references.

Step 2:
After passing this initial screening, two committee members will visit you in your current residence, evaluate your current housing situation, and verify or collect missing application information. After this visit, if you appear to meet the criteria, you will be asked to complete the formal application forms and attend an orientation meeting. The applicant selection process is impartial. Race, ethnic origin, color, religion, marital status, sex, and age are not considered and therefore play no part in the decision.

Step 3:
Next, the Family Selection Committee will carefully review your application. Their recommendations will be forwarded to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for final review and confirmation.

The qualification and approval process can take four to five months. Please be patient. We will process your application as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please call (864) 888-2118. Please note that the entire process – qualification, application, approval, and home build – will take an average of 24-30 months. 

Notice: The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age: because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program; or because the applicant has exercised in good faith any right under the Consumer Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 30580.