These are the basic Family Selection Criteria for Habitat Charlotte. More specific information is provided at the orientation session.

1. Need for Housing

• Simply having the desire for homeownership
• Living in overcrowded housing
• Living in substandard housing
• Being a resident of public housing
• Being unable to secure adequate housing through the private market

2. Ability to Pay

• 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 and mortgage and other debt combined should be no more than 40% of your income.
• Delinquent Debt: No more than $1200 in delinquent debt at the time of application and all delinquent debt must be paid off before application approval.
• Medical Debt: No more than $10,000 in medical collections.
• Outstanding Debt: No more than $2000 in outstanding debt at the time of application.
• Bankruptcy: Must wait two years after being discharged and reestablishing good credit

3. Willingness to Partner

• Applicants must be willing to perform at least 250 sweat equity (volunteer) hours
• Must have lived or worked in Charlotte or Pineville for the last year
• Have a commitment to a drug-free community and no serious criminal history
• Applicants MUST be legal U.S. residents