Faq

Habitat for Humanity International is the parent organization and Perry County Indiana Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate. International oversees the many local affiliates across the globe, advocates at the international/national level, maintains the Habitat brand, and implements international aid and disaster relief. Here at Perry County Indiana Habitat for Humanity, we build local homes with local people using local resources. We are fairly autonomous from Habitat International, although both organizations share the same vision, mission and values.

We receive very little financial resources from Habitat International. That is by design. Habitat International provides educational resources, secures large gifts-in-kind, and maintains the Habitat brand. When we build a home locally, we must raise 100% of the money it costs to build the home. We do not receive any financial support from Habitat International to build homes or support our operations.

We have various income streams. The most important being financial donations from generous individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations. Sometimes through monthly gifts, annual gifts, sponsorships, etc. We also receive monthly payments from the mortgages we hold. In addition, we often apply for grants from various sources.

It also needs to be pointed out that we receive generous discounts on material, labor and services from friendly contractors and vendors. While that’s not technically funding, it greatly reduces our costs.

That depends on what you wish your money to be used for. We work locally, they work internationally. If you want to help support a local home build, please make the gift to us. If you want to support international aid or disaster relief, please make the gift to Habitat International.

No we do not. The closest ReStore is in Dubois County. https://www.duboishabitat.org/restore

Generally, no. On occasion we will accept very gently used building materials if we are able to utilize them quickly. We don’t have a lot of space to store building materials that aren’t being used immediately. We will accept tools that are safe and in good working order.

Yes. Habitat for Humanity has always been a Christian organization, and we believe in putting God’s love into action through our homeownership program. However we do not proselytize. We work and partner with people from various faith backgrounds.

No, you do not! Since its inception, Habitat has pledged to help anyone, regardless of faith, achieve the dream of homeownership. We are also an Equal Opportunity Lender.

No. Individuals living by themselves or families of any size are welcome to apply. Habitat often uses “family” terminology when referring to our homeowners. But having a family is not a requirement.

At the time of application and acceptance into the program, our Partner Families must fall within 30% – 80% of Area Median Income which is adjusted by size of household. The current Area Median Income statistics are included in our application packet. Please ask for one if you are interested. There is no penalty for a partner family if their income increases or decreases after they purchase the home. However, mortgage payments must be kept current.

There is no “black and white” answer on this. While we have credit history guidelines, we tend to look at “the bigger” picture, instead of just a credit score. Often we are able to advise applicants as to what actions to take regarding credit which will allow them to apply again in the future.

Absolutely not! We believe in giving a hand up, not a handout. Each family purchases their home and takes on a 0% interest mortgage with Habitat. The price of the home is set at the appraisal value. Our homeowners are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their home. They are also required to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance just as any other home owner would. It’s important to note that the 0% interest loan is a HUGE financial blessing to the partner family. It often results in well over $100,000.00 in savings that would normally be spent on interest. The 0% interest also makes the monthly payment smaller and more manageable.

That depends on a variety of items. We build homes to fit the family’s needs. Some houses are bigger or smaller than others, which affects the price. The price is set at the fair market value which is set by a third party appraiser. As the housing market fluctuates, so does the price of the homes. But when a house is sold, the price is locked in, as is the 0% interest rate.

Our partner families must apply and go through a family selection process. The Family Selection Team makes recommendation to the board of directors for their official approval. Each application is assessed on four criteria: 1) ability to afford homeownership 2) need for housing 3) willingness to partner 4) current resident of Perry County. We check their financial situation and conduct a home visit as part of the application.

After approval, each adult in the family must attend financial literacy classes, participate in homeowner education training, contribute 200 hours of sweat equity, provide a down payment, purchase homeowners’ insurance, pay for closing costs and more! It is important to us for each partner family to put some skin into the game and be prepared for the responsibility of homeownership.

To date our homes have been constructed in Tell City and Cannelton. But we are open and interested in building in other areas of our county. If we have the land, utilities, family and funding, we will build there!

Some Habitat affiliates do, but we do not. However, we have completely rehabbed older homes and brought them back to life.