Selection Criteria

There must be a demonstrated need in order to qualify for a Habitat home. Need is determined by an applicant’s current income and current living conditions.

Your annual household income must be between 45% and 80% of the area median income for Pickens County to meet the financial need. View the 2021 Income Limits.

Your need based on current living conditions can be described as any of the following:

• Overcrowded - opposite gender children sharing rooms or adults sharing rooms with children
• Temporary – living in borrowed space, government subsidized housing, or on a month-to-month lease 
• Too expensive – monthly housing cost is greater than 30% of monthly household income
• Unhealthy – issues with mold, pests, poor air quality, inadequate plumbing, inadequate insulation, lack of climate control, etc.
• Unsafe – structural issues, security issues, or concerns with high crime rates in your area
• Inaccessible – This may be the case if a member of your household is in a wheelchair or has other mobility issues and your current housing does not have ramps, handrails, or other necessary accessibility/mobility features.

Through documents provided during the application process, applicants must prove their ability to pay an affordable monthly mortgage.

Applicants must have:

• A steady, reliable source of income.
• The ability to pay a monthly house payment.
• The ability to pay projected monthly utilities.
• Not filed for bankruptcy within 2 years.
• Not have outstanding collections, liens or judgments that cannot reasonably be paid by the completion of the home.

Applicants must show a willingness to fully participate in the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program from start to finish.

Applicants must be willing to:

• Complete 200 hours (per household) of service to Habitat. This is called "Sweat Equity" and includes helping to construct your own home and other Habitat homes. 
• Complete financial education classes on budgeting and first-time home buying, included in Sweat Equity hours. 
• Be willing to share your story with the community.

All applicants must either live or work in Pickens County for at least one year upon application and be a legal resident of the United States.

Owning a Habitat home creates a long-term financial partnership with PCHFH. Therefore, Pickens County Habitat for Humanity will review the credit history and criminal background of all applicants during the selection process to look out for any foreclosures or violations of the law.