Qualified Family Sought For Upcoming Habitat For Humanity Build in Bangor

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor is taking applications for an upcoming build on Birchwood Avenue in Bangor. Here are some of the details about what it takes to be a recipient family.

Executive Director Lynn Hempen says a lot of people don't think they qualify for a Habitat home. Either they think they don't make enough money or they think they make too much. And some feel they do qualify, when their bill-paying history isn't all that good. So she's getting the word out about the process, and what it takes to be a Habitat family.

The first question that's asked is about what's wrong with your current living situation. Is it unsafe or unhealthy? Maybe it's too crowded, and you can't afford a place with more bedrooms. Or maybe you have the room, but now you can't afford it. These are all reasons that will be considered when you apply.

Second, the application asks you to demonstrate whether your annual household income falls within 30% to 80% of the area's median income, based on family size. For instance, a family of 4 could make between $24,250 and $49, 450, to qualify. For a family of 6, that runs from $32, 570 to $57, 400. In order to prove your income and expenses, you're asked to provide several items with your application:

• Legal identification - License or State I.D.
• 4 current pay stubs
• Last two tax returns
• Last two bank statements
• Copies of any state benefits
• Copies of any incoming our outgoing Child Support payments
• Copies of all applicable monthly bills, including things like credit cards, daycare, cell phones, car and/or medical insurance, student loans, and any other monthly payments.

Finally, you need to be willing to commit to partnering with Habitat for Humanity. This means, if your application is selected, each adult family member is going to be expected to invest 200 hours of 'sweat equity' into the building/renovation of your home (up to a maximum of 500 hours), attend a home buyers education class, and be willing to be featured in any media coverage of the build.

The result, if you make it through this process and are selected, is that you'll have a beautiful home with an affordable mortgage. HFH's organizers will take all of your household bills into account to make sure that you can afford the house payments. The organization's basic motto is that it's 'a hand up, not a hand out,' making it possible for people who may not be able to get conventional financing into a house of their own. For more information and to apply, log onto the website for Habitat For Humanity of Greater Bangor.

So, if you get through this whole process, and help with the build, the only thing left to say will be 'Welcome Home!'