Since 1993, Dorchester Habitat for Humanity
has been building homes and hope.

 

To apply for a Dorchester Habitat for Humanity Home, an applicant must:

 

1. Have been a resident of Dorchester County for a minimum of 1 year or have worked in Dorchester County for a minimum of 3 years.

2. Have a need for affordable housing and adequate shelter.

3. Have the ability to pay a small, interest-free mortgage

* Meet the Median Income Guidelines

 

 

2011 MEDIAN INCOME GUIDELINES

WWW.SHA.STATE.SC.US
Area Median Income (AMI) as of July 2011 = $62,200 family of 4
HUD HOME Program & South Carolina State Housing Finance & Development Authority
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB)

No. in Family

At Least This Amount

No More Than This Amount

1

$15,283

$26,160

2

$17,442

$29,880

3

$19,600

$33,600

4

$21,758 - ($1,813 monthly)

$37,320 – ($3,110 monthly)

5

$23,508

$40,320

6

$25,258

$43,320

7

$27,008

$46,320
*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Debt-to-Income Ratio must be below 40%

* Housing Expenses-to-Income Ratio must be below 40%

4. Be willing to partner with Dorchester Habitat by working 425 “sweat equity” hours. Applicants must have initiative and enthusiasm, proving that the applicant wants a Habitat Home and is willing to work for it. The Habitat program is not a quick-fix program, but a long-term solution.

 

Disqualification Criteria

•Drug violations for any minor children in the past 3 years.
•Any drug convictions, child molestation, and/or violent crime convictions by anyone in the immediate family who will be living in Habitat Home.
•Receipt of 2 “Lack of Interest” letters.
•Not remaining within the required program guidelines for income and/or debt.
•Any violation of program requirements.

 

After Attending the New Family Application Meeting

An applicant must schedule (within 6 weeks after the New Family Application Meeting) an appointment with the Executive Director, Jaye Elliott (843-851-1414), and submit the following at that meeting:

• Completed Application Form

• Copies of proof of income for the previous 3 months (i.e. paystubs, SSI, disability, retirement, child support)

• Completed and signed Criminal or Police Record Information Form and Criminal or Police Record Release Authorization Form   

• $8 SLED report fee

• Copies of proof of debt such as loans, daycare, tuition, student loans, credit cards, etc.

• Copy of current credit report Call toll-free 877-322-8228 for a FREE credit report from Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union or go online to www.annualcreditreport.com

• Copy of proof of marital status (i.e. copy of marriage license, legal separation agreement, divorce decree)

• Copy of proof of US Citizenship or Green Card

• Copy of proof of housing expenses including insurance, rent, taxes, pest control, utilities, maintenance, house and cell phone bills, internet service, and cable.

 

"Sweat Equity" Opportunities

  • Work on the construction site. Hours are available every Thursday (8am - Noon) and Saturday (8am-2 pm). Children must be age 16 or older to work at building site and must be accompanied by a parent.

     

    • Assist in the ReStore as a cleaner, pricer, clerk, picking up donations with truck, etc. Applicants must call 871-1159 to schedule a date and time to work. NO WALK-INs are allowed.  Children must be age 16 or older to work at ReStore and must be accompanied by a parent. There is limit of 2 matching volunteers at the ReStore, unless the ReStore Supervisor needs additional assistance.
    • Habitat office work (answering phones & making phone calls, mailings, data entry, clean-up, etc.).

     

    • Work at Habitat events such as Harvest for Habitat, River Roast, The Cottage Tour, dedications, etc.
    • Children’s report cards, parent’s GED, or college courses completed - good grades (earn 3 hours for an A, 2 hours for a B, 1hour for a C). Grades will be accepted for the current school year only and after the applicant is approved by the Board. There is a maximum of 50 hours.

     

    • Home Depot or Lowe’s home improvement classes completed by applicant.  Proof of the 1 or 2 hour course taken must be submitted. There is a maximum of 10 hours.
    • Community volunteering elsewhere by an applicant. Applicant must bring a letter signed by the supervisor of the service organization stating the hours worked, the date hours were worked, and the name of the supervisor. There is a maximum of 10 hours.

     

    “Sweat Equity” Facts & Requirements

    • 425 total hours must be completed before an approved applicant can own and move into new Habitat home.

     

    • 225 of the total (425) hours must be completed by the applicant or an immediate family member who is at least age 16 and will be living in the new Habitat home.
    • Extended family and friends may match up to 200 hours. These hours may include babysitting hours. The applicant must be working with the volunteer(s) in order for hours to be matched.

     

    • Regardless of the number of hours completed, an applicant must work a minimum of 60 hours on the applicant’s own home.
    • Regardless of the number of hours completed, an applicant must work a minimum of 60 hours on another Habit Home(s).

     

    • Applicants must complete a minimum of 15 hours per month. At least 8 hours of the 15 hours per month must be completed by the applicant.

     

     

    Upon completing the initial application process and meeting all of the guidelines, an applicant will be invited to a New Applicant Seminar. Before or at the New Application Seminar, an applicant must provide the following:

  • • Copies of any and all additional paperwork requested

    • Original fingerprint card obtained from a law enforcement agency

    • Original of a completed and signed FBI Criminal Background Check Form

    • Payment of $18 per applicant for the FBI Background Check

    •Copy of most recent tax return

    • Copy of Lease

    After completing all of the requirements and attending the New Applicant Seminar, each applicant must:

    • Work 25 “Good Faith” hours

    • Pay a $50 Financial Seminar fee to “Dorchester Habitat for Humanity”. The total fee is $100, but Dorchester Habitat pays $50 and each applicant pays $50.

    • Attend the required Financial Seminars conducted by Family Services, Inc. The certified program is 20 hours and includes classes on Credit Cents, Personal Credit Counseling, First Time Homebuyer Workshop, and Home Sweet Home. 

    •Allow Dorchester Habitat personnel to make a home visit to establish need.

     

    Final approval by the Board of Directors is required to continue in the Habitat program.

  • Applicants must work a minimum of 15 “sweat equity” hours per month and stay in contact with their mentors.