Rochester Area
Habitat for Humanity

Serving all of Olmsted county, plus Chatfield, Pine Island, Kasson, and Mantorville.  Founded in 1990.

Below are the basic guidelines followed to qualify families to obtain housing through the Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity.

Selection of families who may purchase homes from the Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity is done by the Family Selection Committee using the following criteria in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because all or part of the applicant's income may be derived from public assistance programs.
 

1.  Need

• 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 conventional means.

Lack of adequate housing may include problems with: the present structure; water, electrical or sewage service systems, heating system; or failure to meet city property maintenance standards.  Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages and the gender of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.


• The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need.  You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation in the application and with a Habitat interviewer.

• You must currently live or work in the greater Rochester area.  You and your family will be considered if your total income is between 25 and 50 percent of the median income in Olmsted County.

2. Ability to Pay

Since you will actually buy your home from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment.  This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but also the payment for real estate taxes and insurance.  We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses.  There is no interest on the loan for a Habitat home.

3. Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat

• If you are selected for a Habitat home, you become a 'partner family' in the Habitat movement.  Your assistance in constructing your home and the homes of others is called "sweat equity," and may include assisting in tasks such as clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers, or working in the Habitat office.  As a partner family, you must complete 200 hours of sweat equity per mortgagee.  Your friends and family can donate up to 75 of those hours to you by joining in the work.  You are encouraged to begin these hours as soon as you have been selected and have attended an orientation class.  Also, others in your family who are 18 years or older when you are selected will be required to do up to 50 hours of sweat equity.

• As a home owner, you will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you move into your home.  As a Habitat homeowner, you are also an ambassador of Habiatat for Humanity.  You will be expected to keep up your home and property to the same level as other homes in your neighborhood.
  

• After moving into your home, your Family Partner will maintain an ongoing relationship with you for six months to help you in your transition into home ownership.