Homeowner Orientations

All prospective homeowners must attend a Homeowner Orientation session to receive important information regarding the Habitat application process. There are sessions for English and Spanish speaking applicants. The sessions led in English are held on the first Monday of each month at noon and 6 p.m. The session led in Spanish is held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. All sessions last approximately 45 minutes. Please be prompt. Late-comers will not be admitted. All orientations are held at the Habitat offices at 169 Scott Street.

2008-2009 Homeowner Orientation Schedule

July 7
August 4
September 8
October 6
November 3
December 1
January 5
February 2
March 2
April 6
May 4
June 1

2008-2009 Homeowner Orientation Schedule - Spanish

September 15
October 12
November 10
December 8
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8
July 13

For more information please contact family services coordinator Nicole Bradford at 761-4771, ext. 208 or nbradford@memphishabitat.com  

Homeowner Qualifications

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in the city of Memphis and its surrounding areas. Habitat is committed to making decent housing a matter of conscience and action and building strong communities. The organization works to build simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families, who are in need of adequate shelter. The homes are then sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into the revolving Fund for Humanity, which is used to build more homes. Since its founding in 1983, Habitat has built 309 homes in Shelby and Fayette counties. Habitat for Humanity does not provide free housing. It is not a federal government program or a transitional housing provider.

Who qualifies for Habitat?

To qualify, applicants must:

• Reside in substandard housing and have an actual need.
• Be unable to qualify for a conventional loan due to income level.
• Have stable, verifiable income that is sufficient to support a monthly mortgage payment, in addition to other expenses.
• Have fair or passable credit.
• Live in Tennessee and have been a resident for at least one year.
• Be willing to partner with Habitat.

What must you do?

Prospective homeowner families must commit to:

• Performing 350 hours of “sweat equity” by working on their houses, other Habitat houses, and at other area non-profits. Eighty percent of the hours must be completed before construction begins on the family’s house.
• Making a two percent down payment – at least $1,000.
• Completing the 15-part “Financial Peace” course.
• Paying off any judgments or participate in a Habitat approved payment plan prior to the start of construction.
• Meeting quarterly for one year after move-in with Habitat’s Family Services staff to discuss their progress in adjusting to homeownership.
• Maintaining or decreasing their “debt to income” ratio while in the Habitat program.

Want to learn more?

• Attend a homeowner application orientation. Sessions are held at noon and 6 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Habitat office, located at 169 Scott Street, Memphis, TN 38112.  You must attend one of these sessions in order to receive an application and be considered for acceptance into the program.
• For more information, contact the Habitat Family Services Department at 901.761.4771, ext. 208.

Family Profiles

Stephanie Austin, Spring 2008 Homeowner - PDF document from the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis Summer 2008 Newsletter, by Rachel Schoumacher

Homeowners Find “Financial Peace” - PDF document
from Money Sense, by Laura Blanton