How it works

There is a Family Selection Committee in each affiliate. This committee contacts churches and social service agencies in neighborhoods where Habitat plans to build. This committee distributes application forms and Habitat information throughout the community. It also recruits, screens and selects families. In addition, the committee interviews applicant families and provides initial orientation to the Habitat program. Once a Habitat partner is selected this committee assists in the transition to successful home ownership.

If your family enters into a partnership with us, and you meet the sweat-equity and down payment requirements, then we will sell you a home with a no interest mortgage.

Selection Criteria

1. To be eligible a family must be earning less than 60% of the average (median) family income for Litchfield County. For 2008 the maximum income for a family of four was $50,400.
2. The family is living in inadequate housing; for example, poor heating, leaks in the roof, overcrowding (three to a bedroom), unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
3. The family must have a connection to our service area of Canaan, Cornwall, Falls Village, Norfolk, Salisbury or Sharon.
4. The family must have an income sufficient to pay a mortgage, including taxes and insurance, and a good history of paying bills.
5. The family must be willing to provide 400 hours of "sweat equity".
6. The family must be willing to work as a partner with Habitat.

Application Process

Our process begins with announcing in local newspapers that we are open to receive applications. Local churches, other religious organizations, and social workers also help us to reach out to the greatest number of possible applicants. Because we build about one house a year but have many applicants, families who have applied before, but have been unsuccessful, may re-apply.

We set a deadline for receipt of the applications. We do not open the applications before this date, nor do we accept applications after this date. Fair Credit rules require that we make our decision within 30 days of having a completed application.

We choose three to five families using our selection criteria. These families are then interviewed in their homes. One family is selected and the Committee then recommends them to the Board of Directors, which has final approval responsibility. Once the Board approves a partner family all families are notified of the decision.

If you wish to receive more information on how to be considered for a Habitat home when a new round a accepting applications starts, please send an email to: president@habitatnwct.org. Please include the following information: Your Name, Address, Phone Number and Email Address.