ACTUAL NEED FOR ADEQUATE HOUSING

One of the main areas reviewed to qualify for a Habitat house is the need for adequate housing. The following areas are considered:

1. Inadequate present living conditions because of problems with the building structure, heating, plumbing, water supply, sewage problems, electricity or environment. (i.e. current dwelling needs significant repairs which have not been made by the landlord; gas/electrical bills are consistently high).

2. Inadequate space in present living conditions as determined by:
a. Number of persons in the household (i.e. more than 3 family members share a bedroom).
b. Ages of household members (i.e. school age children of opposite sex are sharing a bedroom).
c. Sex of household members
d. Each family member has 100 square feet or less space to live.

3. Temporary housing: a family has tentative living arrangements with relatives or friends or is living in a transitional housing facility, motel, car or tent. This may also include a family who is living in a house that is being condemned and/or a family who is losing their lease, government subsidized certificate or voucher due to uncontrollable circumstances.

4. Current location in an unsafe area (i.e. access to the street and yard is hazardous, unavoidable dangers to children; the immediate physical environment contains irremovable hazardous or toxic material).

5. Accessibility: Uncorrectable barriers to physically challenged family members exist.

6. Cost of housing: A family is paying more than 50% of their gross income for rent or house payment, including taxes and insurance (not including utility and phone costs).

7. Family is living in subsidized housing.

8. Family desires to own a home and is able to meet Habitat requirements but is not able to save money for a down payment or afford payments with a conventional loan or mortgage.