Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor is searching for a family currently living in substandard conditions, who earns between 30 and 80 percent of the local median income, and who is willing to partner with Habitat to renovate a two-bedroom, single-family residence in Bradley.

Completed applications are due to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor by December 31, 2015. Applications are available at www.habitatbangor.org and can be requested by calling 207-942-8977.

Applications will be reviewed according to the following three criteria:

Need: The family must be living in substandard housing (examples include structural, electrical or plumbing problems causing health and safety risks, unsafe location, or overcrowded conditions), or cost burdened (rent plus utilities, phones not included, is more than 30 percent of monthly income).

Ability to Pay: The family must have a combined income of 30 to 80 percent of the median income in their area; evidence of a stable, sufficient income to pay a monthly zero-interest, 30-year fixed mortgage based on a discounted home price, property taxes, and home-owners insurance without becoming debt burdened; and reasonable history of on-time rent payments. While there is no absolute credit score requirement, the average Habitat home owner in our area has a score of about 600. To prepare, applicants are encouraged to check their credit report for free by accessing www.annualcreditreport.com.

Willingness to Partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor: Habitat for Humanity requires 200 hours of sweat equity per adult in the recipient family up to a maximum of 500 hours.

Applicants are asked to provide the following to complete the application information: Legal identification – license or state I.D.; four current pay stubs covering one month; last two years tax returns; last two months bank statements, all pages; copies of any state benefits; copies of any incoming or outgoing child support payments, along with a support order if available; copies of all monthly bills, such as electric, phone, etc.; a copy of applicant’s most recent lease, including the name, address, & landlord contact information; and proof of on-time rent payment for the last six months such as canceled rent checks

Habitat requires all applicants to take the Maine Homeworks course, a program created especially for first-time home buyers in Maine. The ten-hour program will help applicants prepare for the process of buying a home. The cost is $25 per individual or $30 per couple. Applicants may access the schedule for this program atwww.mainehomeworks.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor has worked in partnership with volunteers and low-income families to build 16 simple, decent houses in the local community. Habitat’s affordable, no-profit house payments free up money for food, child care, medicine, and other necessities. Research has shown that decent housing improves health, increases children’s educational achievement, and strengthens community ties.


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