New Homeownership Opportunity Available Until December 31, 2011

We're looking today for our next Habitat Homeowners to begin building a home in Norfolk next spring.  

The window to apply is September 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011. Please contact Heather Dinneen at habitatforhumanitynwc@gmail.com or (860) 435-4747 immediately for more information.

Request an application package. It includes a Habitat application form, a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and a checklist of the paperwork you need to send with your application. We can help you complete the application, but you're in charge of making sure that it's completely ready by the deadline.

Affordable Homeownership

Habitat’s unique affordability formula means you can own a home for half (or less) than normal!

1. Building lots: Habitat finds great deals, even donations, of building lots. 
2. Building materials: We thank local building suppliers for offering us special discounts, and contractors, businesses and neighbors, for donations of high-quality building materials.
3. Sweat equity and volunteer labor: Every Habitat homeowner dedicates at least 400 hours of labor to Habitat. You’re backed up by a professional site manager, and skilled trades, many of whom donate their expertise and use of specialized tools. Dozens of building volunteers round out the picture.
4. Zero-interest mortgage: The biggest part of the Habitat affordability formula. Because 100% of your Habitat mortgage payment goes to paying off your loan, mortgage payments are half what they would normally be. 
5. Lower property taxes: Habitat can make homes affordable by keeping title to the land while you earn equity in the house itself with every mortgage payment.
6. We help you budget for your down payment, teach you home maintenance, and help remove other obstacles to home ownership.

Could you be the next Habitat Homeowner?

Does this describe you?

1. You have a housing problem, which you can’t solve on your income. Perhaps you’re squeezing three into one small bedroom. Or your rental unit has poor insulation, serious mold, or a heating system that’s giving up. Habitat can help if your family earns less than 60% of the median income for Litchfield County for a family of your size. In 2010, that means up to about $35,000 for a single person or up to $59,000 for a family of 6.
2. You can afford $900 per month for a Habitat mortgage, insurance, and property taxes, plus heat and utilities.  
3. You're ready and able to partner with Habitat to get your home built.  Each Habitat household commits at least 400 hours of labor to  the Habitat program. This often means construction work on your own home, but if you can't do that, you can earn sweat equity in other ways, such as working on fundraisers, or in the office. 
4. You live, work, or have another close connection to Cornwall, Falls Village, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury or Sharon.

How it Works

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut builds a house every 1-2 years. Several months before building begins, we begin looking for our next Habitat Homeowners. You may learn of this opportunity through our website, posters, your employer, a community group or religious institution.

For two months, we collect applications. All applications are treated identically, but they must be complete (including supporting paperwork) by the posted deadline. A team of Family Support volunteers evaluates and contacts all applicants. You'll have the chance to correct any problems in your application. If your circumstances seem a good fit for Habitat Homeownership, we'll ask to meet with you in person. This meeting will be in your home, so that you have the chance to show us why you need better housing. At this meeting, we will explain the Habitat program in more depth, answer your questions, and hear from you what you're hoping for out of the program.

It typically takes about 1 ½ years to build a Habitat home. As we build, we will also work with you to prepare you for home ownership.  This might mean working on home maintenance skills or budgeting for your down payment and closing costs.

Equal Opportunity Housing

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut is pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.  We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.