Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity seeking future homeowners, see what it takes to pre-qualify
(Seguin) – Do you have a steady job but still think you can’t ever buy a home, think no one will ever give you the chance to buy a home or maybe you don’t think you have what it takes to buy one, then this story might just be for you.
This marks the final week to submit your pre-application for a future Habitat for Humanity Home. Madeline Dalman, the executive director for Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity, says the initial qualifications for applying are easy and can be just what you need to get you into your very own home.
“You need to have three years of stable income history and live or work in Guadalupe County with proof of a Social Security number and then be a first time homebuyer or not have owned a home within the last three years and be willing to partner with us, with Habitat, by participating in 200 hours of sweat equity and then also attend our homeowner education meetings which we actually 17 courses that homebuyers have to complete before closing on their home,” said Dalman.
Dalman says a simple qualifications checklist and questionnaire are also part of the free pre-application process. She says all folks must do is visit HabitatGV.org and click on the green button that says, ‘Apply for Home.’
“It’s pretty straightforward. You have to have a need for affordable housing by meeting our income guidelines between 20 and 80 percent of the area medium income. We look at your income which can include income from Social Security, SSI, child support or your employment income. We do not include unemployment income or food stamps in that income qualification. You have to have a clear marital status so you can’t be separated. You need to be divorced, single, widowed or married, have a workable credit history. We like to tell people no credit is good credit. We don’t use a credit score, but we do look at that income ratio and medical and dental bills are not counted against you,” said Dalman.
Dalman says over the past few years, the local chapter of Habitat has continued to secure more and more affordable housing for local families. She says while the future for the organization and the community looks great, she understands that it will take supporting one house at a time to get there.
“I know there is a lot of excitement in our community around the tracts of land that we purchased around Jefferson and 46. That project is still a few years out. We have to have infrastructure funding and go through all of those steps, and we are still a little ways out but the good news, is we do have empty lots to build on in the meantime. We are looking to start our next house in July. We just got through permitting and now, we are getting ready to pour the foundation and so, we are hoping to start framing up the next one at the end of July,” said Dalman.
Dalman says if qualifications are met, then the non-profit group will help applicants get to the next step of being approved by requesting all supporting documents such as paystubs etc. She reminds them that the homes are not free but are sold to them through a no-interest loan. She says the sweat equity hours put into them and the educational courses that must be fulfilled are what in the end help make this partnership a win-win for all involved.
“I encourage people to apply. Affordable housing is becoming more and more hard to come by. The medium list price for homes in Guadalupe County is over $300,000 right now and so we know that the need is greater than ever, and I would encourage people not to wait. I don’t know when we will open our pre-applications again and so the time is now, and you don’t have anything to lose. It will take you about 20 to 30 minutes and again, we are here to support the people in our community if they have questions. We have staff around the clock to work through that,” said Dalman.
Those needing help with their online application are encouraged to stop by the Habitat office located upstairs at the group’s Re-sale shop located at 256 W. Court St. Summer hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. They may also call 830-401-0422. Again, the website to begin the pre-application process for the Habitat Homebuying Program is HabitatGV.org.