How families are chosen:

The selection of families who will purchase homes from Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity is done by our Family Selection committee in a way that does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, national origin or because all or part of the applicant’s income is derived from public assistance programs. The applicant families go through the required application and interview process to determine their needs and the ability to meet LAHFH’s requirements.

We use the following criteria to choose families each year:

Residency: Families must have lived or worked within the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity service area for the past year. Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s current service area is Cass County of ND and Clay County of MN.

Housing Need:

• Current shelter is inadequate – structural defects, lack of heat, maintenance problems, etc.
• Temporary or transitional housing – living with friends or family
• Household is overcrowded (number of persons in each bedroom is greater than 2, or number of persons sleeping in rooms other than bedrooms)
• Environment is inadequate – household feels unsafe or there is health hazards
• Household currently pays more than 30% of total gross monthly income for housing
• Unable to purchase a home through an other means.

Partnership: They are willing to partner with Habitat in the construction of the home by contributing “sweat equity” hours (300 -550 hours minimum per household). Families agree to care, maintain and repair their own home and yard. Families agree to reflect and represent Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity in a positive manner.

Ability to Pay:

• They are able to save $3,000 toward closing costs.
• Must agree to a credit check and pay the fee for this at the time of submitting the application.
• Must have had any bankruptcy filing discharged 2 years prior to applying for a Habitat home.
• Monthly debt plus estimated monthly housing cost must be less than 40% of gross monthly income.
• No outstanding liens or judgements. Cannot have owned a home within the last 3 years (with the exception of mobile homes).
• We serve individuals and households earning between 50-80% of HUD’s area median income. (Refer to the guidelines below, broken down by annual and monthly income.)

Sweat Equity

Every Partner Family is required to perform a minimum of 300-550 hours of volunteer work known as “sweat equity” within the Habitat organization before moving into their home. The number of hours required is determined by how many adults live in the household. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which Partner Families work with family, neighbors, and friends to build other Partner Families’ homes as well as their own.

Working alongside volunteers and future neighbors to build their home and community is one of the most rewarding aspects of Habitat for Humanity for Partner Families. Besides working on the construction site, there are many other ways to complete sweat equity hours such as working at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, helping in the LAHFH office, and attending classes on home maintenance and financial fitness. Habitat for Humanity does not give handouts, but instead partners with families in need to provide a simple, decent and affordable homes.

Habitat for Humanity does not give handouts, but instead partners with families in need to provide a simple, decent and affordable homes.