Frequently Asked Questions

1. HOW MANY HABITAT HOMES WILL BE BUILT IN HOOD COUNTY IN A TYPICAL YEAR?
2. HOW DOES HABITAT'S PROGRAM WORK?
3. HOW ARE THE PARTNER FAMILIES SELECTED?
4. WHAT DOES A HABITAT HOME LOOK LIKE?
5. HOW CAN I BECOME A HABITAT HOMEOWNER?
6. HOW CAN I HELP?
7. HOW ARE MONETARY DONATIONS USED?
   

1. HOW MANY HABITAT HOMES WILL BE BUILT IN HOOD COUNTY IN A TYPICAL YEAR?

The number of homes built in any given year will depend on the number of persons who volunteer to assist with construction of homes, the availability of land suitable for building homes and the level of donations of money and materials. Our goal is to build 3-5 homes per year.

Back to Top

2. HOW DOES HABITAT'S PROGRAM WORK?

Using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses in partnership with homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Habitat is not a give-away program. In addition to a down payment of $700 and the monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family must invest 300 hours of their own labor-sweat equity in the building of their house and the houses of others. In Hood County, houses typically cost $45,000. The length of a Habitat mortgage is usually 20 years, but can be shorter or longer, depending on a family's circumstances.

Back to Top

3. HOW ARE THE PARTNER FAMILIES SELECTED?

Families apply directly to Habitat for Humanity of Hood County. The Family Selection Committee evaluates homeowners based on their need for decent shelter, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the loan. Like all affiliates, Habitat for Humanity of Hood County follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race, religion nor national origin is a factor in choosing the families which will partner with Habitat in building a home.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of 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.

Back to Top

4. WHAT DOES A HABITAT HOME LOOK LIKE?

Habitat houses are attractive,simple and comfortable. The exterior is normally vinyl or composite siding. The size is dependent on the number of people to be living there. They are sturdily built and designed to be safe and energy-efficient. Central air and heat and fenced back yards are standard features.

Back to Top

5. HOW CAN I BECOME A HABITAT HOMEOWNER?

Habitat for Humanity of Hood County accepts applications when additional families are needed for Habitat homes. Announcement that applications are being accepted is widely distributed in the local newspaper, local churches, habitatofhoodcounty.org Web site and Habitat newsletter. Contact us to get more information about becoming a Habitat Homeowner.

Remember that you must meet the following requirements:

1. Currently occupying substandard, inadequate or overcrowded housing
2. Have a total family income somewhere between $10,975 and $41,450 per year (adjusted for family size).
3. Be willing and able to make regular monthly payments (usually $250 - $300)
   on your new home and a $700 down payment.
   
4. Be willing to put in 300 hours of sweat equity or labor on your home or
   on the homes of other Habitat partner families.
5. Be willing to live in and become an active member of the neighborhood where
   Habitat is building homes.

   Back to Top

6. HOW CAN I HELP?

You can contact Habitat for Humanity of Hood County via e-mail, standard mail, or phone. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks. In addition to the actual construction of houses, volunteers may answer the telephone, make speeches, do computer work, assist in mail-outs and many other activities. Also, we hope that the entire community will pray for the success of our endeavors. If you are able to assist financially, you may do so by sending a contribution to: Habitat for Humanity of Hood County, P. O. Box 1866, Granbury, TX 76048. For your convience, an online form is available to help us acknowledge all contributions received by Habitat for Humanity of Hood County. Contributions may also be made by Electronic Funds Transfer. Most importantly, we again ask that you pray for the continued success of the Habitat ministry.

Back to Top

7. HOW ARE MONETARY DONATIONS USED?

Ninety percent (90%) of donations are used in building homes in Hood County. Ten percent (10%) of un-designated donations are tithed to Habitat for Humanity International for use in building homes abroad. Because of the extremely low cost of building houses in developing countries, our tithe builds one home in another country for every home we build locally. Habitat of Hood County has no paid staff and no office space. All volunteers work from their homes, or in some cases, are granted by their employers the use of company facilities.

Back to Top