Poor Credit History?

Present Debts?

Inability To Save
Down Payment?

Barron County Habitat
For Humanity Says...

Let's Work Together!

You might be thinking...

I can't afford house payments. My income is too low.
Barron County Habitat for Humanity (BCHFH) builds or renovates basic practical homes and sells them to qualified families on a no-interest loan with mortgage payments spread over 15-30 years depending on their ability to pay. The monthly mortgage payments, which include taxes and insurance, are often less than the rent families are currently paying. Habitat selects families with incomes at or below 50% of the Median Gross Income for Barron County. (See chart.) Mortgage payments go into a fund to build more houses.

I have a bad credit history. No bank will loan me money.
Habitat for Humanity IS the lender for the homes built with partner families. Our equal Opportunity status does not affect our ability to screen families for credit history.  Being an equal-opportunity lender we have a strict non-discrimination policy for selecting those families. Families must fill out an application and a credit check is done. The goal of Habitat is to provide affordable homes for families who find it hard to get housing through normal means. Habitat will look at the whole financial picture including past problems and present budgeting practices. A bankruptcy does not necessarily eliminate a family from consideration. We do not demand two years from a bankruptcy, but only one year since the discharge date. Also, we are more forgiving of late payments depending on the reason for the late payments. However, we look for at least 6 months of continuous income and minimum payments on debt prior to the application. We prefer all debts to be current at the time of the application although small judgments and liens are not an absolute barrier to acceptance. Habitat will even work with a family to create a more manageable budget.

I can't save up a big down payment with my income.
The down payment for a Habitat house is $500, which can be paid in installments from the point the family is selected.

How does Habitat work?
Habitat builds quality low cost houses by using the labor and management skills of volunteers and by using donated materials and services wherever possible.

BCHFH is a Christian-based local branch of Habitat for Humanity International. BCHFH works in partnership with future homeowners, local businesses, civic groups, churches, foundations and other caring people from all religions and walks of life.

What do you mean by partnership with homeowners?
Habitat is not a giveaway program. Each homeowner family is required to work 300 hours per adult household member on their home and the homes of others in addition to making the assigned monthly no-interest mortgage payments. These "sweat equity" hours help lower the cost of the house and EMPOWERS the family by teaching home maintenance skills as well as increasing in pride of ownership. Habitat works with the family from the application through selection, building and the transfer of title.

O.K. What's the catch?

• The first is NEED. The family must be living in inadequate housing conditions such as poor heat, plumbing or wiring, unsafe construction, vermin, or overcrowding. Families living in adequate rental housing do not qualify UNLESS they have extremely high rent.

• The second qualification is meeting certain family income limits, yet having sufficient income to repay the loan.

• Finally, families must be willing to partner with Habitat to build their house and the homes of others, and accept counseling relating to financial planning, home care and maintenance.

I'm interested. How do I apply?
If you think you might qualify for a Habitat home, please call BCHFH at 715-234-2460, or fill out our contact form. All information received is confidential and we will help you fill out the application.

BCHFH Income Guidelines

$2050 for each additional household member.

Special circumstances will be taken into consideration.

*Household income includes ALL forms of income, i.e. wages, interest, child support, alimony, Social Security, state assistance, and disability payments, etc.