How to Qualify

In order to Qualify, potential families are considered on the following three (3) points.

1. Need for Housing
Present Housing Condition:
1. Overcrowded housing
        More than two children per room, adults sharing room with children,         children of different sex sharing a room.

2. Substandard housing:
        Problems with maintenance and repairs.
        Resident of public housing.
        Unable to secure adequate housing through the private market.         Desires Home ownership.

3. Present Neighborhood:
        Unsafe neighborhoods, i.e. drugs, violence, etc.

2. Ability to Pay:

Income Level:
        Must be stable, any supplementary income must be stable and likely to continue.

Savings:
         Family demonstrates the ability to save and budget money.

Rental Expense:
         Family paying market rent or willing to demonstrate the ability to pay         market rent.

Delinquent debt:
         Must meet Habitat guidelines for debt in bad standing. IE: judgments,         collections, and past due accounts. All delinquent debt must be paid         before lot selection.

Outstanding debt:
         Must meet Habitat guidelines.

Bankruptcy:
        May apply for a Habitat House two (2) years after bankruptcy has         been discharged and good credit has been re-established.
        Auto debt payments & other outstanding debt payments, along with         other expenses, must be manageable within budget.

3. Willingness to Partner:

Ability:

         History of timely rent payments, stable work history (1 full year at 1 place sometime in past 3 years and be on current job for 6 months), maintains own household (live or own for 1 full year within the past 3 years), no criminal record that poses likely future risk.

Sweat Equity:
         Understands and is willing to perform sweat equity.

Commitment:
         Commitment to the community. Lived in Walla Walla Valley and/or worked in the area for past 3 years. Commitments to a drug free community.