Giving Families A Chance At The American Dream

Becoming a Peninsula Habitat homeowner is not easy. It is also not a charity handout.

Peninsula Habitat selects hardworking, stable families to partner as homeowners. Candidate homeowners must have a stable source of income to qualify for a Habitat mortgage. They are employed, productive and vital members of the community, but simply do not qualify for a conventional mortgage.

Candidate families go through an extensive selection process, including a review of their financial status, job history, citizenship, and other qualifications. Applicants must have a gross annual household income based on HUD guidelines of not more than $56,550 for a family of four. They must also have good credit, a minimal level of debt, and be willing and able to perform 500 hours of "sweat equity" to build their own homes. The selection process, building of the home, and sweat equity can take up to 18 months.

"Peninsula Habitat for Humanity is giving us the chance to establish more financial stability and to build an equity stake in our community."
Redwood City Candidate Homeowner, Nabil William

Because Habitat families build their own homes, they also take great pride in their homes and become a neighborhood asset. For most families, a Habitat home represents the first homeownership opportunity they have ever had and sometimes the first decent place to live. They are personally invested in their house and, in many cases, feel strongly that their house will provide a better future for their children and future generations. Like any other family, Habitat families establish roots in communities, becoming involved in schools, community service and business.

* Photo courtesy of the San Mateo County Times.