How the Program Works
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury’s (HFHWM) homeowner application period opens April 17th! Prepare to apply by reviewing the materials below or by contacting our office at 615-690-8090.
We work to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live.
Our program makes homeownership possible for those who meet the income qualifications and other eligibility requirements. With the generous support and volunteer participation of churches, businesses, and civic groups, we help members of our community achieve the strength, stability, and independence to build a better life for themselves and their families through homeownership.
Habitat homes are not free! All program participants pay an affordable mortgage and help build their own homes alongside volunteers.
This is not an emergency housing program. Our program takes roughly a full year to complete.
FAQs Contact Brochure
How Habitat for Humanity families are selected
Partner families are approved based on three criteria: the need for adequate housing, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. To be eligible, applicants must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, meet background check requirements, and be residents and/or employees of Williamson, Maury, Hickman, Decatur, and Lawrence counties for at least 12 months prior to applying.
Need for adequate housing
Partner families must have a need for adequate housing, which could mean they’re living in a dwelling that lacks proper plumbing or wiring, has structural problems, or is in a state of disrepair. Living conditions could be overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe. Other examples of need include paying rent higher than 30% of income or needing accessibility for a household member with a disability. Higher priority may be given to applicants with stronger need at the discretion of the homeowner services department. Applicants should not have owned a home in the last 3 years nor have had a foreclosure in the last 4 years prior to applying.
Ability to pay
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to afford the estimated monthly mortgage and household expenses.
Income: Habitat requires a consistent, stable income in the United States for 2 years at a minimum annual household income of $35,000. This can include employment, social security, pension, disability income, worker’s compensation, alimony, and reliable child support. We consider the income of all adults (18 or older) in the household. Applicants must verify their employment history and provide documentation of the past 2 years of annual household income. Applicants are not selected if they can obtain financing by conventional means. See the chart below for general income guidelines based on household size.
*These are subject to change. Having income within these guidelines does not guarantee approval.
Credit: Partner families must have a credit score of at least 550 or above. Additionally, debts such as collections and charge-offs must not exceed $2000 at the time of application. If approved, applicants must agree to resolve those debts 90 days before closing. We also consider recent payment history on rent, utilities, loans, and other expenses, as well as estimates for deferred student loans. Bankruptcies must have been discharged or dismissed for at least 1 year for Chapter 13 and at least 2 years for Chapter 7.
Savings: Applicants must be able to save $2,500.00 for closing costs within approximately 6-12 months.
Willingness to partner
Partner families are required to participate in sweat equity hours by completing homeowner education classes, budget coaching, volunteering at the ReStore, and building on their own home and others in the program. Families with a single applicant are required to earn 200 hours, and families with both a single and co-applicant are required to earn 280 hours. Accommodations can be made for applicants with disabilities.
Applicants must also be willing to accept the location and design of homes that Habitat currently has available.
NOTICE: The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (provided the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract), because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from any public assistance program, or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Project Act. The federal agency that administers compliance with this law concerning this credit is the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C.
