Home Ownership

 

 

The New Hampshire Capital Region Habitat for Humanity (CRHFH) is

an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical,

Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing

around the world.  Our ministry includes a focus to help existing

low-income homeowners in need of help with critical home repair

projects, as well as building new homes.

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CRHFH affiliate is currently renovating one property annually and

selling it to a worthy low-income household.  Our focus is renovation

of single-wide manufactured homes, as these properties offer

the lowest cost of ownership.

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Homeownership Overview

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Pre-screening questionnaire

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Homeowner Application (Download, Print, and Mail)

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Homeowner Application (Online)

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Repair Program

 

Program Description

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Our Habitat affiliate works to assist the housing crisis in

New Hampshire by performing necessary repairs to existing homes. 

Through our repair program, homeowners can apply for our assistance 

in repairs such as roof replacement, handicap accessible ramps, etc.  

 

All work is done to Habitat standards and local codes where

the goal is simple, decent, quality housing.  We view our work not

as a handout, but as a partnership with homeowners.  Therefore,

we ask for all those we serve to contribute “sweat equity” to the work effort.

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CRHFH Repair Application (Download, Print and Mail)

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CRHFH Repair Application  (Online)

CRHFH Repair Agreement

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CRHFH Repair Guideline Summary

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CRHFH has a rapid response program which allows

families in need to ask for assistance during an emergency.

Please give us a call at 603-242-2718 for more information. 

Due to financial and manpower restraints, not

all emergencies can be tended to, however we urge you to ask

for our assistance and we will do our best to help with a solution. 

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Qualification Guidelines

 

•  Type of Project: The project should include a repair that typically requires less than 200 man-hours to complete, and is related to weatherization, health and safety, basic dignity, or handicapped accessibility.  The overall condition of the home must be sound enough to justify the repair cost.  Typical repairs include roof replacement, new windows or doors, installation of a handicapped access ramp, repair of sagging floors, or replacement of a tub and shower enclosure.

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• Home Ownership: The repair is only done on homes owned by the people residing in the residence in need of repair.

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• Homeowners Insurance: Homeowners are required to have homeowners’ insurance.

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• Income Eligibility: The combined income of all people living in the home must not exceed 80% of the median average income for the Merrimack County.

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• Financial Strength: Total financial assets owned by the household are limited to $25,000, allowing the CRHFH to serve those families with the greatest need.

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• Financing the Project:  The homeowner will provide the CRHFH with a variety of documents needed to support a loan application to the NHHFA.  The CRHFH will perform a desktop appraisal to determine the fair market value of the house.  The combination of an existing first mortgage, and the NHHFA loan must not exceed 97% of the estimated fair market value.  Maximum loan amounts is $20,000.

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• Willingness to Partner with the CRHFH: Homeowners are expected to be partners in their home repair project.  A designated number of sweat equity hours will be established that the homeowner is asked to put towards the project. 

 

• Qualifying candidates must live in the service area of the CRHFH.  The 17 towns include:

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• Allenstown

• Boscawen

• Bow

• Canterbury

• Chichester

• Concord

• Dunbarton

• Epsom

• Henniker

• Hopkinton

• Loudon

• Pembroke

• Penacook

• Pittsfield

• Salisbury

• Warner

• Webster

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Application Process

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• The Application for Home Repair, Proof of Income, copy of Homeowner’s Insurance and Proof of Home Ownership will be submitted to the CRHFH.

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• If the application is satisfactory and meets the qualifications, a visit to the home will be scheduled to determine the overall scope of the project.

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• Following the home site visit, a recommendation will be made to the CRHFH Board of Directors.

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• If the application is approved, the applicant will be asked to provide loan documentation for the NHHFA loan and an estimated project completion date will be assigned.

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Guidelines: Construction Planning and Execution

 

• While the CRHFH strives to perform all work using volunteer labor, some work may require third party contractors. Volunteer labor will be free.  No administration fee will be charged.  The homeowner must waive the CRHFH from any claim for workmanship quality or consequential damage during the performance of the project.

 

• Each project will have a Project Manager who will plan materials, tools, and volunteers.  The mini-blitz atmosphere will be tempered in order to keep the home livable for the family.

 

• The sweat equity work for the family will be planned in consideration of age and physical ability of the family.

 

• The Homeowner is required to make the work areas, as well as the property, generally safe for the workers prior to starting the work.  The CRHFH recognizes some homeowners may be limited in assisting with property safety.  The Project Manager will work with the Homeowner to ensure safe work conditions.

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