How to Apply for a Dorchester Habitat for Humanity Home

To apply for a Dorchester Habitat for Humanity home, applicant must be a resident of Dorchester County for minimum of one year or have worked in Dorchester County for three years.  Applicants are approved based on:

• Need for affordable housing
• Ability to pay a small mortgage (meet 40% Debt-to-income ratio)
• Willingness to partner by working 425 hours of “sweat equity”
• Initiative and enthusiasm, proving that you want a Habitat home and are willing to work

for it.  This is not a quick-fix program but a long-term solution.

 The following applicant actions are required:

1. Applicant must visit the DHH office or call to confirm that applications are being accepted.
2. Applicants must meet the MEDIAN INCOME GUIDELINES (ref. below) & no more than 40% Debt-to-income ratio.
3. Complete application form, then call for appointment to meet with a DHH Counselor

• Provide three months proof of income (i.e. paystubs, SSI, Disability, Retirement, Child        Support)
• Submit all additional requested documents
• Sign SLED check permission form and pay ($8.00 per applicant) SLED report fee.
• Provide proof of debt such as loans medical bills, credit card, utility bills, etc.
• Provide 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. f.     Provide proof of marital status (i.e. copy of marriage license, legal separation agreement, divorce decree if applicable)

g.    Provide proof of US citizenship or green card

• Provide photos of self, co-applicant and dependents

4. After initial pre-screening
1. Attend Application Seminar ($15.00 fee)
2. Submit all additional paperwork
3. Work initial 25 Good Faith Hours
4. Attend required Financial Seminars ($50.00 fee)
5. Allow Habitat personnel to make a home visit to establish need
6. Applicants must work a minimum of 15 hours of sweat equity per month and stay in contact with their mentor

5. Final approval by Board of Directors is required to continue program.  

Potential Sweat-Equity Opportunities

• Work on the construction site. Hours available every Thursday (8am-noon) and Saturday (8am-2pm). Children must be age 16 or older to work at building site and must be accompanied by parent.
• Help out in the Habitat ReStore as a cleaner, pricer, clerk, picking up donations with truck, etc.  Call 871-1159 to schedule time to work. NO Walk-In’s allowed.  Children must be age 16 or older to work at Re-Store and must be accompanied by parent. There is limit of two (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, agency ceremonies, 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 (Maximum of 50 hours).
• Home Depot or Lowe’s home improvement classes completed by applicant.  Bring proof of 1 or 2 hr. course taken (Maximum of 10 hours ).
• Community volunteering elsewhere by applicant.  Bring name and number of supervisor plus letter as proof from service organization of hours worked (Maximum of 10 hours).

DHH Homeowner Sweat Equity Hour Facts & Requirements

• 425 total hours required before approved applicant can move into new Habitat home.
• 225 of total (425) hours must be done by applicant or immediate family  (Age 16 and older) who will be living in new home.
• Extended family and friends may match up to 200 hours of DHH work toward total hours, this includes babysitting hours (applicant must be working with the volunteer(s) in order for hours to be matched).

• Regardless of hours completed, applicant must spend a minimum of (60) hours on own home and (60) hours another home(s).

• A minimum of fifteen (15) hours per month must be completed by the applicant (either hours completed themselves or through matching hours).  At least eight (8) hours of the fifteen (15) hours per month must be performed by the applicant.