Frequently Asked Questions

 
Partner family selection is one of the most difficult tasks faced by Habitat. The task is carried out by people who have significant experience in the social services sector, following an in-depth application process. (This includes in house interviews with families, reference and credit checks, and evaluation of the ability of the family to partner with Habitat.)

The three criteria to qualify for a Habitat home are:

1. Need for alleviation of substandard housing
2. Ability to repay a Habitat loan
3. Willingness to partner with Habitat.

There are no income criteria but potential partner families must demonstrate that there are no other possible ways of achieving home ownership though conventional commercial financing methods.

Ability to repay a Habitat loan requires that the family has a stable income, sufficient to cover the regular repayments and other expenses that come with home ownership.

Applicants must demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat by contributing 500 hours of volunteer labour ("sweat equity") towards the building of their home.

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