Office
and ReStoreCriteria for Selection as a Redmond Habitat for
Humanity
Candidate Family
The goal of Redmond Habitat for Humanity is to
enter into partnership with families currently living in inadequate
housing who wish to own a home of their own but have not been able
to get the help they need anywhere else.
The Primary qualifications for the Redmond Habitat for Humanity
program are the following:
- The family must be able to repay the Habitat loan.
- The family is now living in inadequate housing.
- The family agrees to contribute at least 500 hours of "sweat equity" on Redmond Habitat projects.
- The family must live in the Redmond School District.
Income Level and Credit History
The income level that qualifies you for Redmond Habitat is between 25% and 50% of the current median income level in the Redmond area. Your total family income is used to determine your eligibility. There should be a steady source of income so that you will be able to afford monthly mortgage payments on a Redmond Habitat home. Please contact Redmond Habitat for Humanity to determine weather or not your income falls within the ranges provided for your family size. This income level is not enough for you to qualify for a traditional bank home loan. You must e clear of liens and judgments and be making timely payments on bills.
Rent and Utilities
The amount you are now spending on rent and utilities (gas, electric, fuel oil etc.) should not be less than 30% of your monthly income.
Sweat Equity
You and your family must be willing to put in 500 hours of unpaid volunteer work for various Redmond Habitat projects. This is known as "sweat equity" and is required of all Redmond Habitat families. Up to 200 hours of your sweat equity total may be "donated" by friends and other family members. The only condition is that, for insurance reasons, construction volunteers must be at least 18 years old. You will not be paid for these hours under any circumstances. Once you are accepted as a Redmond Habitat family, you may be helping to build houses other than your own and working on other Redmond Habitat projects. If you have physical limitations that would keep you from performing manual labor, you can help with other non-physical work. Your willing participation in these projects not only helps with the work of Redmond Habitat, but also shows your sincerity and commitment to the partnership.
Housing Condition
Is your current home or apartment inadequate? Are you sharing a home with another family? Is it structurally unsafe? Is there poor or no insulation? Is it unheated or inadequately heated in the winter? Is it too small for your family? Are you spending significantly more than 30% of your monthly income for rent and utilities?
Time
Are you prepared to wait as long as two years for your Redmond Habitat home to be built? Redmond Habitat for Humanity is not an emergency housing program, or a quick fix to your current housing situation. Our goal is to build communities as well as homes and this process takes time. We are trying to provide a permanent solution.
Neighborhood
You must be willing to accept a home in any area within the Redmond School District. Although we try to take your wishes into account, Redmond Habitat cannot guarantee that the home you are offered will be located or built in any given part of the Redmond School District.
Home Assignment & Acceptance
You must be willing to accept the home that is assigned to your family by Redmond Habitat. Redmond Habitat homes are basic, decent homes and do not have formal dining room, wood stoves, fire places, decks or garages. In most cases there will be only one bathroom. The home you are offered may be new or rehabilitated. You may be offered a multi-family home (i.e. duplex, triples, etc.). If you decide not to accept a home that Redmond Habitat offers, you will be dropped from the program.
Closing Costs, Insurance and Monthly Mortgage Payments
Once accepted as a candidate family, you must begin making monthly payments towards the $900.00 that will be held in an Impound Account. This money that you save each month will be used to pay the closing costs and insurance on your Redmond Habitat home mortgage. This money must be paid before you can move into your home. You must also agree to make regular monthly mortgage payments. It is important that these payments are made on time because your mortgage payments go towards building the home for the next family on the list.
Public Relations
Redmond Habitat for Humanity relies upon the goodwill of the Redmond community. Donations and volunteer labor by individuals and groups are our primary sources of support. For public relations purposes, you and your family will be asked to pose for photos or be interviewed by news or television reporters. More importantly, as a Redmond Habitat family, you must be willing to keep your Redmond Habitat home in a manner that speaks well of our organization. This means that you are expected to keep your home and property in good order and not engage in any activities that will be disruptive to the community or are in any way illegal.
If you feel your family fits these guidelines and you are interested in being considered as a candidate family please contact our office at 541-548-1406. We are happy to answer any questions you may have.