Partnership Requirements

Sumter Habitat for Humanity works with many community and national partners. Volunteers help build Habitat homes, making our homeownership program possible. Without the help of partners, we could not build and sell affordable houses to Sumter families. Likewise, when families are selected for our Homeownership program, we treat them as our partners. We are committed to working with our partner families to make their dream of homeownership come true.

Willingness to Partner

As one of the three criteria Habitat for Humanity uses to select families for the Homeownership program, willingness to partner actually begins when an applicant starts the application process. We expect applicants to:

Meet all deadlines
Attend required meetings, classes, and events (arriving on-time)
Be communicative and honest
Complete sweat equity hours and closing costs before moving into their home

Sweat Equity

Habitat for Humanity of Sumter County requires that each partner family complete 400 hours of sweat equity for individual applicants and 600 hours of sweat equity if there is a co-applicant. These 400 hours of sweat equity involve:

125 Hours

On the build site, on your home and the homes of other Habitat families

100% of all Courses

Homeownership education

25 Hours

You or your children can earn 25 hours toward the build by earning A's & B's.

Unlimited Hours

In the ReStore, at Habitat sponsored and awareness events. Families should not begin these hours before going through the application process and are selected for the homeownership program. Many people fear that they cannot complete the required hours due to age, disability, or conflicting work schedule. We do our best to work with your ability and schedule. Sweat equity hours are mandatory. Every selected family must complete their required sweat equity hours before purchasing their home.