Application Process:

Applications are closed through 2024. A Habitat partner will be selected from a pool of applicants through our family selection process.

• Applicants need to provide all the information on the application, including income for all adults that will be living in the home and short essay responses to answer a few questions.

• After an initial screening, all qualified applicants are asked to provide documentation of income.

• A credit report is done before the application is presented to the Family Selection Committee.

• The Committee selects applicants to invite for personal interviews.

• After the interviews, the Family Selection Committee decides which applicants to visit in their current home to document the need for housing.

• Based upon the information gathered, the Family Selection Committee chooses whom to present to the Board of Directors for final approval.

• Every applicant is notified by mail of the results of the processing of their application.

• The time from application to move-in day takes about one year. If you or someone you know needs immediate housing assistance, please see our Resources page.

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To be Considered for a Starkville Area Habitat for Humanity Partnership you must:

• Be a resident of Oktibbeha County for one year.

• Be in need of a better place to live.

• Must be able to afford an estimated monthly mortgage that starts at about $700 monthly. (The exact payment depends upon the size of the house, taxes and insurance).

• Must be able to stay within 33% or less of monthly income (in order to be financially sustainable).

• Must have an annual income near or below 80% of the Department of Housing and Development's ("HUD") guidelines. Please click the button below to see the chart. Please note that the most up to date reports are from the previous year (so for this year, please look at 2023).

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Partner Agreement

To the future selected homeowners, you must sign a partner agreement that includes:

• Understand that the process from the application to move-in day will take one year or longer.

• Take three life improvement classes from an approved provider such as Emerson Family Resource Center or the Oktibbeha County MSU Extension Office. Classes must include one about budgeting and financial literacy. The others may include individually chosen topics such as nutrition or gardening. These classes are typically offered free of charge.

• Put in 300 hours of "sweat equity". This work is usually done at the building site but may be adapted for those with physical limitations. One hundred (100) hours must be performed by the Partner. Family and friends may donate the remaining hours.

• Meet with Family Nurture committee monthly to prepare for the responsibility of homeownership.

• Repayment of a monthly mortgage over the next 20 years.

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