How will I know if I am chosen or not?

All applicants will receive a letter stating if they were aprroved or not.  If an applicant is not approved, the letter will highlight why they were not chosen and what can be done to better the chances of being chosen later. We strongly encourage you to fix the problems listed and reapply the next year. Som current Habitat homeowners have applied 2 or 3 times before being chosen.

Families that are chosen not only meet all of the criteria for owning a home, but have the greatest need for immediate assistance.

We welcome calls after receiving a letter and discussing suggestions on any part of your application.

Where do you build the homes?

Habitat builds all over York County: we have many neighborhoods in the City of York, Dover, Red Lion, Hanover, etc.

Although you will have the freedom to say you do not want to live in a given location, you will NOT be able to choose your Habitat home. If you do not want to live in a certain place or you strongly desire to live in a certain area of the county, please state this up front with a member of the Habitat staff or with the family selection committee. We will be able to let you know exactly where our homes will be located before you even apply.

What if I get a better job after I am officially chosen?

Habitat wants you to do better in your life; you will not be de-selected because of a raise which would greatly improve your financial situation. We do, however, carefully screen your income after acceptance to make sure you do not LOSE income or fall into higher debt. Our only concern is to make sure you are able to financially care for the Habitat home once you are moved into it.

What does it take to be de-selected as a homeowner?

1. Lying or not being truthful in any way on any part of the application.

2. Showing an unwillingness to partner (for instance by not completing the sweat equity)

3. Loss of income that would make it difficult or impossible to make a house payment.

Who chooses the families?

York Habitat for Humanity has a Family Selection Committee which is comprised of community volunteers. With the help of a Habitat staff member, they accept applications, add income, look at credit reports, look at all the Habitat criteria and then personally interview all qualified potential homeowners.

The selection of the families who will purchase homes from York Habitat for Humanity will be done by Habitat's Family Selection Committee in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because all or part of the applicant's income is derived from public assistance.

When they have made their choice, they present the choices to the Board of Directors who makes the final decision.

All the decisions are based on Equal Housing Laws, which Habitat adheres to strictly.

Do I have to currently live in York County to qualify for a Habitat home?

From the date of your application, you have to be working in, or be a resident of, York County for AT LEAST the past two years. No exceptions will be made to this rule.

But I have lived all my life in York County except for the past few years!

See above answer.

Do you accept applications from:

            Families who do not have children? YES!

            Large families? YES!

            Unmarried couples? YES!

Potent ional co-owners that are relatives other than marriage (mother, grandmother, brother, sister, etc.)? YES!

I just got a call to arrange an interview! Does this mean I am chosen as a homeowner?

No. Family Selection Committee interviews almost everyone who turns in an application. The personal interview is a time where the committee member can sit down and talk with you one on one to know about your family, personal and financial situation. It is one step in a long process to be chosen for a home.

I have a boyfriend/girlfriend who will not be a co-owner, but will be living in the house, how do you handle this?

All the household income must be counted, including his or hers. Then the person has to complete the sweat equity. They do not need to be a co-owner.

I'm not sure if I should tell you about a boyfriend/girlfriend that will be living in the house.

Please don't lie to us. That would be considered a reason for de-selection as a homeowner. Just be upfront about it. We are not judgmental about your life (and we can't be, according to law), we just want to know the whole family that will be living there and plan accordingly.

I do not understand one of the answers you gave to my question OR I have a question that was not addressed, what should I do?

                The staff at York Habitat for Humanity is never more than a phone call away from any need you may have. Please do not hesitate to call us for any question or concern at (717) 854-6168. A staff member will be in the office every Monday – Friday from the hours of 9:00am – 5:00pm. If you call after office hours, feel free to leave a message in the general mailbox and someone will be able to get in touch with you at a mutually convenient time. You may also e-mail the Administrative Coordinator directly at Ashley@yorkhabitat.org.