The Habitat model has been used over 750,000 times around the world successfully. Habitat families enter into a unique, long-term partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The three criteria for a family to qualify for affordable housing are: need, ability to pay back the mortgage and willingness to partner. If these criteria are met, families have the opportunity to own their home by paying an 0% interest mortgage back to FVHH. In addition, families undergo an extensive family selection process to qualify including work history and credit check. Each family must first put in 350-500 hours of "sweat equity" on other Habitat houses and 100 hours on their own home. Another requirement is to complete our 26-hour financial training course before moving into their home to ensure the success of the family. Despite lower incomes that are only 30%-60% of the median income and the difficult economy, FVHH only has 1 foreclosure in our 27 year history.
