Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest. ~Robert Montgomery

Homeownership

Ever wonder about how families are chosen to be Habitat homeowners? Each month,  Sumter Habitat for Humanity receives approximately 100 inquiries for homeownership. Candidates for a Habitat House must meet and follow strict qualification guidelines. Among these guidelines are the desire, ability and commitment to put in many hours of "sweat equity" into their Habitat homebuilding project.  Please see Qualification Guidelines below.

The Family Selection Committee

Habitat's family selection committee is comprised of several dedicated volunteers — generous-hearted folks who donate countless hours of their time to help make the dream of homeownership a reality for  deserving families. The process of selecting a homeowner family is a laborious one, but one done with generosity, sensitivity, and compassion.

Qualification Guidelines

.    Your family does not have adequate housing and does not have the means to acquire long-term permanent shelter.
   .    Your family has a steady source income and can demonstrate financial responsibility and the ability to pay a $350 to $400 per month mortgage payment in addition to your other financial obligations.
· Your family must have and maintain a good credit history. Habitat will check credit history through a credit report.
· If your family has declared bankruptcy, it must have been discharged at least two years ago.
· Your family must be able to make a down payment of approximately $800-$900 in home closing costs.
· If your family currently receives a housing subsidy such as HUD or Section 8, you may still apply. However, if you are selected as a Habitat partner family, you will lose your housing subsidy funds.
· Your family will be required to contribute 300 hours of labor ("sweat equity") to Habitat, through construction work; if needed, special accommodations are gladly made.
· If you are legally married, but plan to apply to Habitat as a single person, your divorce must be  finalized before we can consider your application.
· Your family must be legal residents of the U.S.
· Your family must live or work in Sumter County to be eligible for consideration for a Habitat home.

Partner Family Orientation Meeting

Sumter Habitat for Humanity  invites you to attend our next family orientation meeting.
    * Family Orientations are held periodically throughout the year.
   * Please view our Event Calendar to learn dates, times and locations.  You can come by the office to sign up for a family orientation meeting.  Office Phone:  (803) 775-5767
*For a more comprehensive description of our partner family qualification guidelines, please view our partner family brochure HERE.