+ What is sweat equity?

Sweat equity refers to the hours Habitat candidate homeowners must put in working to help build the homes of other candidates as well as their own home. Hours also include taking homeowner education classes, working at the ReStore, and volunteering at various Habitat events. Currently each single applicant is required to earn 250 hours.

+ What are the income requirements?

Each applicant must fall within the 30-60% median income guidelines, for your family size, which are set by HUD (Housing and Urban Development). Ability to pay is then also assessed. The ability to pay falls solely on the person who will be the mortgage holder.

+ What are the qualifications?

The three basic qualifications: Need for Housing, Ability to Pay, and Willingness to Partner.

+ Can you mail me an application or can I pick up an application at the office?

To be notified when our application cycle opens, please complete our Homeowner Application Interest Form

+ What will my mortgage payments be?

Once you have completed all program requirements and construction on your home is finished, you will attend a closing where Habitat for Humanity signs a mortgage over to you. This will be a 25-30 year affordable mortgage. Mortgage payments consist of your principal payment, homeowner’s insurance, and property taxes; it does not include your utilities.

+ Do I have to live in Knox County to appyly?

Yes. At the present time Habitat for Humanity of Knox County is only servicing residents of Knox County. In order to apply you must have established residency for at least one year.

+ Will you do a background check?

Yes. Habitat will do a background check and check names against the sex offender registry on all applicants before final approval.

+ Will you do a credit check?

Yes we will do a credit check to determine your ability to pay the mortgage. However, unlike traditional lenders, we are not looking for a specific score. Habitat for Humanity is prepared to work with you to repair your credit if the debt is reasonable. Unfortunately, there will be cases that we are unable to work with, however, those will be discussed and assessed during the financial review and financial assessment portion of the application process. We are not able to tell you whether or not you will qualify without submitting a full application.

+ After I am accepted in the program, how long will it take before I can move into my own home?

If your application is approved, it will take approximately 6 - 18 months before the program and construction process is completed. This amount of time allows Habitat to secure a sponsor group, land, and for the future homeowner to complete the required sweat equity hours, and classes. *This is a tentative time frame, depending on financial preparedness, sponsors, availability of land, and other items, the time frame may be extended.

+ I don't have any children. Can I still apply?

Yes. Habitat for Humanity of Knox County is an Equal Housing/Equal Opportunity lender and does not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, source of income, or family make-up.

+ What if I am separated, but not legally divorced?

You can apply for a Habitat home, but one of two things will need to happen before you take ownership of your home. You will either need to have your spouse co-sign the mortgage with you, and sign a form stating that he/she has no interest in the house, you must finalize your divorce before the time comes to take ownership of your home.

+ What size houses do you build?

We build 2, 3, and 4 bedroom homes. The house size is based on the number of members in your family at the time of approval.

+ Do I have to have a job?

No, but you do have to have INCOME. Income consists of regular sustainable monthly funds. If you are only receiving Social Security Income, or retirement income, you may still be eligible. As long as your income is enough to support your family size based on our income requirements. Unemployment income and food stamps do not count as income.

+ Once I move in can I make renovations?

Yes! This is a mortgage not a rental agreement. Therefore YOU OWN IT. If you would like to make changes after you move in, you are welcome to do so. (You must comply with HOA and city/county ordinances if applicable.)

+ Can I apply if I am currently living under section 8 housing?

Yes! We are not affiliated with Section 8 or other government housing programs. Therefore you are still eligible to apply to our program. While you are eligible to apply to the program, since we are not affiliated with government housing, your voucher cannot be applied to your mortgage payments.

+ Can you build on my land?

No. At this time we are not building on land that is owned by an applicant. We are only able to build on Habitat land that we already have available.