Help us prepare Habitat Partner Families to be successful homeowners!
Join the Family Support Committee
- Provide oversight and guidance on resources that help Habitat Partner Families become successful homeowners.
- Have a general understanding of the Habitat homeownership program and the sweat equity requirements.
- Participate in meetings as scheduled and provide overall feedback and support to fellow committee members and Habitat staff.
If you are interested in joining this committee or learning more, please contact Brianna Gruenberg at brianna@lakeagassizhabitat.org or (218) 359-0814.
Committee members are encouraged, but not required to be a family mentor.
Homebuyer Education & Sweat Equity
LAHFH requires a wide array of education classes, including:
- First-time Home Buyer’s Education class
- Credit Counseling Appointment
- Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University
- Home Maintenance
- Lawn Mower/Snow Blower Maintenance
- Homeowner’s Insurance
- Energy Conservation
- Lawn Care
- and more!
Committee Members help coordinate these classes and find community members to teach them.
Sweat Equity Requirements:
- 300-550 volunteer hours per household.
- Friends and extended family can help contribute sweat equity hours.
- Minimum of 100 hours must be completed on a build site.
- Partner Families are given many ideas and suggestions for how they can complete these hours.
Current Mentor Resources
Become a Family Support Mentor:
Role: A family mentor is a volunteer who acts as an advocate/ liaison to a specific Habitat home buyer.
Time Commitment: A mentor is assigned when the Board of Directors approves someone to the homeownership program, and works with the future homeowner throughout the process.
The mentor should communicate with the future homeowner at least quarterly during the first year of partnership, monthly during their build season, and remain available during the first year of homeownership for quarterly check-ins.
The minimum commitment is about 20-24 months, but preference is that mentors stay in contact with the family through their first year in the home as well (about 3 years from selection).
Expectations: Offer encouragement and resources as needed. Keep the families accountable to their sweat equity requirements. Do NOT provide conflict resolution or mediation if there are partnership issues. Any potential issues should be directed to affiliate staff and/or the Family Support Committee.
Click HERE for Family Mentor Interest Form
Other important facts about HFH:
Habitat Partner Families are selected for the homeownership based on 3 criteria (housing need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner). They must continue to meet this criteria to stay in “good standing” in the program. A Partner Family can be de-selected at any point in the process.
Future homeowners will pay an affordable mortgage that is based on their income. The family is expected to pay about $3,000 at the time of closing (escrow deposit, insurance premium, and other fees).
