Owning a Home

Families interested in applying to become a Habitat partner family should come to the AVHFH Office at 318 South 17th Street in Fort Smith to obtain an application and further information.  Typically, once an application and supporting documentation, including a credit report and letters of reference, are submitted, the Family Selection Committee will review the application file within one month.  If they judge it worth continuing the process a home visit is scheduled.  If this is acceptable, a recommendation is made to the AVHFH Board of Directors to welcome the family as new homeowner partners.  These last steps take about two months.

Each homeowner family is required to do between 300 (single parent family) and 400 (two parent family) hours of sweat equity, working with Habitat, before moving into the family’s new home.  Sweat equity takes the place of the traditional down payment so there is little upfront cash outlay for committing to buy the home.  Sweat equity work can include helping to build the homes of other Habitat partner homeowners, building the family’s own home, assisting in the Habitat office or at our ReStore retail outlet.

If you are interested in owning your very own home, and if

you meet the following guidelines come by our office to fill

out an application.

• Your living conditions are inadeqate, substandard, unsafe, or overcrowded
• You have an acceptable credit rating
• You are able to make monthly payments of around $260-$325
• You have had a steady income for at least one year
• You have lived in the River Valley for at least one year
• You have good references
• You are willing to work the required "sweat equity" hours as your down payment
• You are willing to attend Family Nurture Workshops and CSCDC classes on homeownership and other topics
• Your family meets US Government low income guidelines and is ineligible for conventional home financing.  Refer to the chart below for Income and Family Guidelines.  For families of more than eight, add $2,500 for each additional family member.