The Barton County area Habitat for Humanity recently broke ground and started construction on the first of two new homes in Hoisington. Potential applicants interested in applying for home ownership are asked to attend a mandatory one-hour Homebuyer Orientation session taking place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at The Front Door Community Center, 1615 10th St., Great Bend.
This orientation will introduce the application process, eligibility, time line, requirements of chosen applicants and next steps.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a homeowner with Habitat for Humanity of Barton County must attend this meeting as part of the completed application process.
For more information or to obtain an application prior to the Homebuyer Orientation, email habitatbartoncounty@hotmail.com.
Habitat for Humanity: Barton County Area is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender. The nonprofit organization has been in Barton County since 2001, following the mottor, “a hand up, not a hand out.” All donations received are used to build or remodel homes for partner families, who then purchase the home through a zero-interest, 25-year mortgage. The houses cost less because they are built with volunteer labor and donated materials, and because the partner families do not pay interest, home ownership is much more affordable than in the private market.
In addition, the funds collected in mortgage payments can be re-used to help another family in Barton County.
The organization aims to do one build or rehabilitation project each year. Partner families need to meet three basic requirements:
• They have to be willing to put in 400 sweat equity hours on their home and complete a financial counseling series.
• The family needs to have a steady source of income so that they can make consistent mortgage payments, just like they would in a regular bank loan.
• The family has to have a need of some sort, whether it is because they are in an unsafe living environment or because their current situation is too expensive.