ASHTABULA — Habitat for Humanity in Ashtabula County is taking applications to select a qualified partner family for its 14th home, which will be built this summer on West 51st Street.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds and renovates simple affordable homes for eligible families in need. Habitat works to give a hand up, not a hand out, to lower-income families with stable incomes who might not otherwise have a chance to own their own home. The house is sold to the partner family at no profit using a zero-interest mortgage. The cost consists primarily of materials as the labor is provided by volunteers under the direction of Habitat’s construction supervisor.
Partner family eligibility criteria are described in the pamphlet “We’re Looking for Families.” The three major criteria are need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. Household income needs to be within the following ranges: individuals: $18,000 to $25,000; a two-person family, $21,000 to $28,800; a three-person family, $24,000 to $32,400; a four person family, $27,000 to $36,000; and so on.
The family’s debt ratio also is considered. The family must have a current housing need, and the family must be willing to contribute 250 or more hours of sweat equity toward building the house.
Anyone interested should contact Sandra Fletcher, Habitat director, by telephone (440-998-0400) or e-mail habitat@ashtabulaseniors.org.
Donations and volunteers are always welcome.
