Own A Home

Qualification Overview

When the application process opens, individuals and families who wish to apply for a Habitat home in the Washington Parish area can print the application online, complete it online or stop by our office at 940 Lee Street, Franklinton, LA. You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.

Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure of your home; problems with your water, electrical or sewerage service systems; problems with your heating system; hazardous substances, or failure to meet city property maintenance standards. You may also meet the need for housing qualification if you are living in an overcrowded or unaffordable situation.

If you are living in transitional or subsidized housing, such as Section 8, you may qualify. Though your Section 8 voucher will not apply to your mortgage, we will make sure your payments do not exceed 30% of your income, which is similar to how Section 8 vouchers work.

Home Features

Homes are typically 2- 4 bedrooms which is determined by the number of family members. Habitat provides a standard floor plan for each size house. Home may be adapted to meet special needs of the family.

All adjustments to floor plans are minimal and there is no guarantee that Habitat can meet all the desires of the family. An average floor plan for a three-bedroom Habitat home is 1,100 square feet.

Criteria

Need for Shelter

Living in overcrowded housing
Living in substandard housing
Being a resident of public housing
Paying more than 30% of gross income on rent

Ability to Pay

As you will be buying your house from Habitat, you must show an ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment on your home. This monthly payment includes mortgage, real estate taxes, and insurance payments.

Income: Income must be stable and fall between 30-60% of HUD Area Median Income.
Budget: Your estimated mortgage payment should be no more than 30% of your income
Outstanding Debt: You cannot qualify for Habitat homeownership if you own a home at the time of applying.

Download application

Willingness to Partner

Once you have been selected to receive a home, you become a “partner family.” This partnership is a unique characteristic of our program in that you contribute to your ongoing eligibility through “equity.”

This means that your family is responsible for completing 250-300 volunteer hours with Washington Habitat for Humanity. This sweat equity hour requirement can be completed during site construction on current homes and by attending homeowner classes.

Sweat Equity is a fun way to stay involved with both the Habitat community and the process of completing your future home.

Applicants must be willing to perform “sweat equity” hours (250-300 hours)
Must have lived or worked in Washington Parish for the last year
Applicants MUST be legal U.S. residents
Attend pre-purchase & financial fitness courses

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.

Request an application

Applications are only taken when funding becomes available. We will post this information on our website and in our local newspaper. You can also follow us on Facebook (@WashingtonHabitat) for more information.