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Frequent Questions

  1. Does Dublin-Laurens County Habitat give its houses away?

    No. Each family pays an affordable mortgage for their home and they contribute sweat equity hours to the building of other partner family homes, as wells as their own.

  2. How do you select the families with whom you partner?

    Habitat partner families are families that live within our service area whose income falls between 30-60% of the area median income as established by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (based on US census statistics). Every family must complete an extensive application.

    Three criteria for selection:

    1) Need for Shelter

    2) Ability to Pay an Affordable Mortgage

    3) Willingness to Partner

    NEED FOR SHELTER
    The need for adequate shelter is measured by the condition of the family’s current housing condition.  This includes the structural safety, integrity, and mechanical function of the home. Other considerations include the size of the living quarters, whether the situation is temporary, the cost of housing, and the family’s income.

    ABILITY TO PAY AN AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE
    If 30% of the partner family’s income can go towards the mortgage and escrow payment, it is determined that they have sufficient income. In determining the family's ability to pay, Habitat does a full financial profile including the family’s debt to income ratio; monthly payment consistency, credit history, and history of bankruptcy, liens, and judgments.

    WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER
    The following factors are used to determine whether families are willing to partner with Habitat. 

    Participation in pre-screening contact and readily engaged in a home visit
    Provided necessary documentation and references
    Expressed a desire to make this community their permanent home
    Comfortable with credit and reference evaluations
    Recognizes the responsibility of homeownership
    Willingness to work and complete required sweat equity hours

    Willingness to pay $2,000 down payment to cover closing cost and homeowner’s insurance

  3. What is sweat equity?

    Sweat equity is the hands-on time, labor, and effort a partner family contributes to the construction of future family’s homes, as well as, their own.  These hours are performed with volunteers from the community to build Habitat houses.  Sweat equity helps build the partnership between the families and Habitat staff and volunteers. Every family selected by Habitat must complete sweat equity hours.  Sweat equity hours are tracked, and all hours must be completed before purchasing the home.

    Sweat Equity Chart

  4. How can I get involved?

    We are always on the lookout for individuals like you wanting to get involved. Visit our Volunteer section to find out ways to donate or volunteer.

     

  5. Where does your funding come from?

    Dublin-Laurens County Habitat for Humanity Habitat relies on donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and local churches. Revolving mortgage payments are used to support our home building efforts. In addition, we organize multiple fundraisers throughout the year. Our largest fundraiser being the annual Daddy Daughter Dance. We do not rely on any one source of revenue.

    If you would like to make a donation, click here.

     

  6. How do you determine the sales price of your homes?

    Dublin-Laurens County Habitat for Humanity uses an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the house. This value is used as the sales price. If a homeowner's affordability rate (30% of household income) is less than the fair market value, we offer an affordability subsidy secured with a silent mortgage to discount the mortgage to this level. In the rare instance where the total development costs are lower than both of these, that cost will determine the mortgage rate and the difference between it and the fair market value will be secured with a silent mortgage.

  7. How do you acquire your properties?

    Many of our properties are donated to us or we purchase them at a significantly discounted rate. All properties are considered before acceptance or purchase of them based on the location and ability to contribute to building neighborhoods, the cost of environmental remediation, the structural integrity, and the ability to conform to the Habitat model of building. Habitat has a Site Selection Committee that oversees all property considerations and acquisitions.

  8. Is Habitat for Humanity a Christian organization?

    Yes, we are a global nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We believe in building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome homeowners, volunteers, and supporters from all backgrounds.

  9. What is your organization's privacy policy?

    Our organization takes our privacy policy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit. 

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