Information

Need for Housing – Need for housing is considered in four ways: rental cost burden, condition of current housing, homelessness and overcrowding. Blount County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Selection Committee works with the Programs Manager to determine if a qualifying need for housing exists.

Ability to Repay an Affordable Mortgage – Ability to repay an affordable mortgage is determined by applicant’s credit report, debt owed, household income, employment verification, rent verification, etc.

Willingness to Partner – Willingness to partner very simply means a buyer completes the requirements of the program. All buyers must earn sweat equity. This is hours awarded for the time spent in homebuyer education, financial management and mentoring, work at the ReStore, work on construction and work with a credit counselor if needed.

Additionally all buyers must save a buyer contribution equal to 1% of their contract purchase price.

Additional Qualifications

All applicants must:

1. Reside in Blount County for the last 12 months
2. Be a legal resident of the United States
3. Household income at or below 80% area median income determined by HUD. For more information, please see Income Limits.
4. No ownership interest in a home for the last 3 years
5. No member of a household may be required by any jurisdiction to register as a sex offender
6. No household member 18 years old or older may be convicted of certain drug or violent criminal offenses (subject to review)

Income Limits

Blount County Habitat for Humanity will consider applications from homebuyers with household income at or below 80% of the area median income for the family size as determined by HUD. HUD updates this information annually.

1. Chart Here
2. Habitat uses grant funds when available to make the home more affordable to the buyer. These grant programs may have additional income requirements that must be met by the buyer. Certain properties or funds may be restricted based on these requirements.