There are three criteria used to select families for the Habitat Bermuda program:

1. Need for Adequate Shelter

We select low-income partner families whose present housing is inadequate. These families are, nevertheless, willing to do what they can to help themselves improve their housing situations. The extent of the need and the inadequacy of the present housing circumstances are important considerations.

2. Ability to Pay

Using factors such as minimum income guidelines, debt-to-income ratio, and history of monthly payment consistency, along with other factors, we can determine whether our applicants have the resources necessary to afford upgrade housing from Habitat. Partnering families must fall into the low-income category but still have sufficient resources to make a small down payment along with monthly payments to repay the principle expended on their behalf.

3. Willingness to Partner

Applicants must be willing to commit to the sweat-equity requirement, which will mean contributing approximately 200 hours of labour to their project and other Habitat Bermuda projects.

How Are Families Selected?

Once an application is received, it is reviewed by the Family Selection Committee, which is comprised of volunteers from the community. The Committee first looks to see that the applicant meets the three basic criteria of income, housing need and a willingness to partner with Habitat. A credit report is also obtained and reviewed. Applicants with a poor credit history are not automatically disqualified. The Committee instead looks for individuals who are willing to correct any past credit problems.

In order to get to know each applicant family better, there is a home-visit by two members of the Family Selection Committee. This is an opportunity for Habitat Bermuda to assess the housing need of the applicants and their commitment to the mission of Habitat Bermuda.