Q: I’m interested in owning a Habitat for Humanity home. What is the first step?
A: The first step is to visit the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Criteria and Application page to discover if you qualify for our program.
Q: What county do I need to live or work in to apply for homeownership with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
A: You must live or work in Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, or Washington county for at least one year to qualify as an applicant.
Q: Do I have to be a citizen of the USA to own a Habitat home?
A: You must be a permanent legal resident or citizen of the United States of America to own a Habitat for Humanity home.
Q: Does Habitat for Humanity build houses only for minorities?
A: Habitat builds homes with people in need and does not consider race, religion, nationality or ethnicity when selecting applicants. Three criteria drive the homeowner selection process: need, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. IVHFH abides by the U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Q: Do I have to be a Christian to work with Habitat for Humanity?
A: No. Religion is not considered when evaluating applications for our programs. We welcome volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who can actively embrace Habitat for Humanity's mission.
Q: What if I apply, qualify and I am not accepted?
A: Many applicants, despite meeting the criteria for our Homeownership Program and demonstrating significant need, are not invited to join the program. You may choose to re-apply during the next application period. At any step in the application process, an application may be denied for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: need, unsatisfactory credit or debt-to-income ratio, yearly income failing to meet guidelines, providing inaccurate information on the application, or family instability.
Q: How many Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners have gone into default on the mortgage and lost their home?
A: The foreclosure rate on our mortgages is below the national average. The Homeowner Selection Committee evaluates each application thoroughly and selects households that are set-up for successful home ownership. Upon sale of the home to the qualified applicants, we ensure that homeowners will spend no more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The homes we build are extremely energy-efficient and reduce energy costs. Combined, these efforts make nearly all of the households in our program successful homeowners.
Q: Does a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner make a down payment for their house?
A: Each adult homeowner signs an agreement to put in at least 250 hours of sweat equity working with Habitat for Humanity. Sweat equity is both an investment in the value of their home and a way to gain home maintenance knowledge. The value of this partnership becomes the down payment.
Q: How long does it take to get an Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity house?
A: It takes up to nine months for the Homeowner Selection Committee to review and make a decision on each application. Once accepted into the Homeownership Program, it often takes 12-24 months to accrue sweat equity and build the home.
Q: What does a Habitat for Humanity house cost?
A: Each home we build or renovate will vary depending on the layout and location. The cost of the home includes market value of the lot purchase, materials to build the home, and all labor that is contracted (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.) We sell our homes to the qualified home buyer according to financing based on their credit score. The length of mortgage is determined by income. There is no penalty for any home buyer who chooses to pay off the balance in advance.
Q: Is Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity funded by the government or Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)?
A: Our affiliate is a self-sufficient and independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. HFHI supports our affiliate by coordinating some national sponsorship opportunities and provides us with our logo, training and grant resources. We are responsible for funding all home builds, renovation projects, ramps, and home repairs. We look to businesses, faith organizations, service groups, and individuals within our area to help us in assisting more homeowners achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.
A: The first step is to visit the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Criteria and Application page to discover if you qualify for our program.
Q: What county do I need to live or work in to apply for homeownership with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity?
A: You must live or work in Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, or Washington county for at least one year to qualify as an applicant.
Q: Do I have to be a citizen of the USA to own a Habitat home?
A: You must be a permanent legal resident or citizen of the United States of America to own a Habitat for Humanity home.
Q: Does Habitat for Humanity build houses only for minorities?
A: Habitat builds homes with people in need and does not consider race, religion, nationality or ethnicity when selecting applicants. Three criteria drive the homeowner selection process: need, ability to pay an affordable mortgage, and a willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. IVHFH abides by the U.S. Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Q: Do I have to be a Christian to work with Habitat for Humanity?
A: No. Religion is not considered when evaluating applications for our programs. We welcome volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who can actively embrace Habitat for Humanity's mission.
Q: What if I apply, qualify and I am not accepted?
A: Many applicants, despite meeting the criteria for our Homeownership Program and demonstrating significant need, are not invited to join the program. You may choose to re-apply during the next application period. At any step in the application process, an application may be denied for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: need, unsatisfactory credit or debt-to-income ratio, yearly income failing to meet guidelines, providing inaccurate information on the application, or family instability.
Q: How many Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners have gone into default on the mortgage and lost their home?
A: The foreclosure rate on our mortgages is below the national average. The Homeowner Selection Committee evaluates each application thoroughly and selects households that are set-up for successful home ownership. Upon sale of the home to the qualified applicants, we ensure that homeowners will spend no more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The homes we build are extremely energy-efficient and reduce energy costs. Combined, these efforts make nearly all of the households in our program successful homeowners.
Q: Does a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner make a down payment for their house?
A: Each adult homeowner signs an agreement to put in at least 250 hours of sweat equity working with Habitat for Humanity. Sweat equity is both an investment in the value of their home and a way to gain home maintenance knowledge. The value of this partnership becomes the down payment.
Q: How long does it take to get an Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity house?
A: It takes up to nine months for the Homeowner Selection Committee to review and make a decision on each application. Once accepted into the Homeownership Program, it often takes 12-24 months to accrue sweat equity and build the home.
Q: What does a Habitat for Humanity house cost?
A: Each home we build or renovate will vary depending on the layout and location. The cost of the home includes market value of the lot purchase, materials to build the home, and all labor that is contracted (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.) We sell our homes to the qualified home buyer according to financing based on their credit score. The length of mortgage is determined by income. There is no penalty for any home buyer who chooses to pay off the balance in advance.
Q: Is Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity funded by the government or Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)?
A: Our affiliate is a self-sufficient and independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. HFHI supports our affiliate by coordinating some national sponsorship opportunities and provides us with our logo, training and grant resources. We are responsible for funding all home builds, renovation projects, ramps, and home repairs. We look to businesses, faith organizations, service groups, and individuals within our area to help us in assisting more homeowners achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance.