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Frequently Asked Questions
Have another question? Check out Habitat's Myths and Truths, or e-mail us.
How much does a Habitat home cost?
It currently costs Habitat around $90,000 (which includes the cost of land and infrastructure) to build an average 3-bedroom house. On the open market, Habitat homes currently appraise for more than $100,000.
What does it cost the homeowner?
Mortgages average $75,000, with monthly payments around $325 per month. The amounts adjust depending on the family’s income and the cost of the home.
How many houses do you build a year? We currently build approximately 10 houses per year. Since 1985 we have built over 120 houses. We plan to increase our house production in the next few years so that we are building 15 houses a year.
How do you select homeowners?
Homeowners must meet the following criteria:
Need for housing. This need is based on any of the following: Substandard (unsound or dilapidated), Unsafe (living in a high-crime neighborhood), Unaffordable (payments are more than 30% of income), or Overcrowded (too many people living in one space).
Residency. Homeowners must have lived or worked in Catawba County for at least 12 months and have legal immigration status or be U.S. citizens.
Willingness to partner. This includes sweat equity (hours worked on the construction site or in the Home Store; at least 250/500 hours, depending on the number of adults in the household;, attending Homebuyer Education classes; and committing to a safe and drug free community.
Ability to Pay. Income guidelines range from a minimum income of $13,000 for a family of 1 to upwards of $40,000. Guidelines are between 30-80% of the area median income, and adjust for family size. Homeowners must make a down payment and monthly mortgage payments.
Homeowners go through an application process and selection is made by a committee. It typically takes 12-18 months from initial application to moving in.
How long does it take to build a house? It typically takes about 6 months to complete a home. In the past we have done some ‘blitz builds’ where houses were constructed in 6 to 8 weeks; in one instance a house was completed in just one week.
Are the floor plans all the same? We have various floor plans ranging from 2-bedroom to 5-bedroom houses, depending on the number of family members. A 3-bedroom house is typically 1100 square feet.
Do the homeowners get to choose which house they get?
To a certain extent. Homeowners get to choose from among the available lots in the neighborhood. The floor plan of the home will be based on the number of family members in the household, but the homeowner can choose siding colors, vinyl and Pergo colors, and their countertop colors.
What if the homeowner doesn’t want to live in a certain neighborhood?
The homeowner has the right to decide not to live in certain neighborhoods. When this is the case, they will have to wait until building is finished in one neighborhood before construction begins at the next neighborhood, which may take up to a year. The homeowner may refuse up to three different neighborhoods before being disqualified from the program.
Where does Habitat get the money to build houses? Habitat relies on donations and grant monies from individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations. Additional revenue comes from sales through the Habitat Home Store.
Does Habitat stay involved with the homeowners once they’ve moved in?
If the homeowners are paying their mortgage on time and keeping their house in good repair, Habitat is only as involved as the homeowner wants us to be.
What if a homeowner can’t pay their mortgage? Habitat will work with the homeowner to come up with a different repayment plan. Every effort is made to keep the homeowner in their home; however, in the rare instance when a homeowner is unable or unwilling to cooperate, Habitat must foreclose.
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