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Become a Homeowner
Application Meeting
We are happy to announce that our 2025 Homeowner Application Meetings will take place on Friday, April 25th from 5:30-7:30pm and Saturday, April 26th from 10:00am-12:00pm at the Opelika Middle School Auditorium: 1206 Denson Dr, Opelika, AL 36801. This is a MANDATORY meeting for all those interested in becoming a Habitat homeowner. The first step in the process of applying for a Habitat house is to attend the application meeting. These meetings are scheduled once a year and consist of three hours covering the qualifications to participate in the program.
*Applications are only given after this meeting; you cannot receive an application by calling or coming our office*
See the brochure attached below for more information about how to qualify:
A Place to Call Home Brochure page 1
A Place to Call Home Brochure page 2
General Information:
Homeowner Brochure
Meeting Details:
Habitat for Humanity selects partner families based on 3 criteria:
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Need for Housing
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Willingness to Pay
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Ability to Pay
Need for Housing:
Families will be considered for a Habitat home-ownership if their current housing is inadequate, and if they are unable to obtain adequate housing through conventional means. Housing may be considered inadequate due to structural problems or dysfunctional electric, plumbing, heating, or water supply systems. Some other considerations include the number, ages, and sex of the children compared to the size and number or bedrooms or bathrooms of the applicant’s current home. Also, need may be a factor if the family pays a high percentage of income to rent. All applicants must have lived in Lee County for at least one year prior to final approval. Applicants may be considered if their total (gross) household income is between 20% and 80% of the 2024 HUD local median income:
Willingness to Partner
When selected, an applicant becomes a “partner family” in Habitat for Humanity’s mission to eliminate inadequate housing in Lee County. Partner families complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” before they move into their homes. Families contribute their time with 200 hours of construction on other homes, 200 hours of construction on their own home, and 100 miscellaneous hours (office work, home maintenance, children’s report cards). It is important that Habitat families are willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity to contribute their time and effort toward building their home and other homes in Lee County.
Ability to Pay
To become a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, there is a $1000 down payment required to be saved for the house. We are not professional financial counselors, but we do strongly recommend the PRF Institute. With the help of professional financial counselors at the PRF Institute, you can learn, grow, and transform in financial stewardship. The PRF institute provides classes about financial literacy and saving money. For more info about the PRF Institute or to request a course, click here for their website. The City of Opelika covers the cost of these classes for Opelika residents thanks to their close partnership with the PRF Institute. Once the house is complete, the families are responsible for a $400- $450 monthly zero-interest mortgage payment on the house and for payment of utilities. It is important that all families have adequate and stable income history and reasonable credit history.
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