Homeownership Questions

• How do I qualify for a house?
• What is Sweat Equity?
• What is the cost of a home?
• How long does it take?
• What else is involved for the Partner Families?
• Where are the homes built?
• How are homes built?
• How many houses have been built?
• Download the Family Selection Brochure for more information

Volunteer Questions 

• I would like to volunteer – how do I apply?
• I have no skills – can I still volunteer?
• What type of committees are there?
• How old do I have to be to volunteer?
• Do you have a store?
• How do I make a donation?

How do I qualify for a house?

Partner families are selected carefully by a volunteer Family Selection Committee based on their need, ability to pay a mortgage and their willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Income guidelines vary according to the number of family members, but are generally between 30 to 80% of the median gross income for the region. See chart below as a guideline:

You might qualify if:

• Your current residence is in poor condition
• Your home is seriously overcrowded
• You are unable to obtain conventional home financing
• You meet certain income guidelines
• You are free of unimportant debt, OR are trying to reduce your debts
• You have resided within Sarasota county for a minimum of one year
• You are willing to work “Sweat Equity”
• You are willing to live on a lot which Habitat for Humanity assigns

What is Sweat Equity?

Sweat Equity is hours worked by family partners that count as part of the down payment on their home. Partners must work 300 hours of sweat equity. It may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, landscaping, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office, or working in the ReStore.

Within some limits, friends and relatives can help the family earn a portion of these hours.

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What is the cost of a home?

The final cost of the home depends on the actual value of the lot, materials used to build the home, and partner income at time of closing. Partner families purchase homes from Habitat for Humanity.

The monthly payment will include mortgage + escrow (property taxes, insurance, etc.) + land lease fee.

How long does it take for a family to get a Habitat house?

It depends on how long families take to earn sweat equity, complete classes, and save enough money for the down payment. An approved applicant, working with a helper can fulfill their sweat equity requirement by working just 38 Saturdays – but a more realistic time is one year.

What else is involved for the Partner Families?

• Selected families are required to attend classes on owning and caring for a home.
• Selected families are also required to take classes on budgeting and credit management.
• Families must attend a first-time homebuyer workshop.
• Selected families must agree to accept a home which Habitat assigns.
• Families are expected to keep homes and yards well maintained and are totally repsonsible for the care of their homes.
• After families move into their home, Habitat will maintain an ongoing relationship to provide support, advocacy, friendship and education.
  

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Where are the homes built?

South Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity builds homes in Venice, North Port, Englewood, Nokomis, Laurel and Osprey, depending on where we can purchase affordable lots. We are currently purchasing foreclosed houses for rehabbing.   This enables us to increase the number of partner families that we are able to help with the purchase of a home of their own

How are homes built?

Every affiliate is responsible for raising the funds needed to buy land and build homes within its own region. Therefore, the South Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity affiliate must rely 100% on donations of money, materials, land and labor. Because Habitat homeowners pay mortgages, all funding stays in the home building cycle in perpetuity.

How many houses have been built?

Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 200,000 homes around the world. Since 1992, the South Sarasota Co affiliate has completed 44 houses.

The average house is 1,200 square feet and includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a one-car garage. With our Corporate Partnership Initiative, we seek to build 50 homes in the next five years. A multi-family community featuring duplex townhouses is now in the planning phase.

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I would like to volunteer – how do I apply?

We are always in need of volunteers. There are many volunteer opportunities on the job sites, in the Habitat office, in our Resale Store, with our Can Project, or you may wish to work on one of our many committees. As you will see when you go to the volunteer section of our website – we need volunteers from concrete workers to those who will stuff envelopes and everything in-between.

For additional information and for a volunteer application please click and join us!

I have no skills – can I still volunteer?

Absolutely! We would love to have you. There are opportunities for everyone no matter what their skill level.

For additional information and for a volunteer application please click here.

How old do I have to be to volunteer?

You need to be at least 16 years old to work on the construction site. However, we do have opportunities for younger workers on sod days at the homes as they near completion and some of our volunteers join in the Can Project as a family. You can also volunteer at age 14 with our ReStore Home Improvement Center.  

What type of committees are there?

CHURCH LIASON: This person garners a team to visit area churches for the purpose of introducing our mission and needs and to promote good will.

DEVELOPMENT: This committee is the fund raising arm of the organization. They have contact with foundations, corporations, individuals, churches, and clubs. Fundraising events in the community are also part of this committee’s responsibility.

FINANCE:  This committee is responsible for the financial affairs of the Affiliate including budgeting, profit and loss and balance sheet reporting, managementof loans and investments, statutory reporting, and auditing activities.  In addition, the committee oversees the day-today financial activities performed in the office such as bill paying, deposits, and record keeping 

FAMILY SELECTION: This committee requires dedicated people who will have the responsibility of recruiting, interviewing and recommending families for the homes to be built and who will make good Habitat “Partners”.

GOVERNANCE:  This committee is responsible for recommending to the Board a slate of officers, committee chairpersons and director candidates that can carry out the mission of the Affiliate.  In addition, the Committee works with the Board and Executive Director on strategic planning, goal setting, performance appraisal, Board evaluation, and by-laws.

NEWSLETTER: This committee puts out four issues a year. They work closely with the office. This committee is made up of an editor, layout person, writers and photographers. Writing skills are essential.

FAMILY SUPPORT: This committee is responsible for the support necessary to make the family self-sufficient. They befriend the family and remain close for as long as they are needed.

PUBLIC RELATIONS; This committee communicates with the public in regard to the printed media, electronic media and our newsletter, as well as public speaking. Writing skills and public speaking skills a re required.

REFRESHMENTS; This committee furnishes simple refreshments (cookies, donuts, soda, water) to one of the sites one Saturday a month or quarter.

SITE SELECTION: This committee searches for property within the cost guidelines on which to build a home. They would understand what site factors may be problematic for construction and for potential homeowners.

Do you have a store?

Our ReStore/Home Improvement Center is located at:
1400 Ogden Road
Venice, Florida
941-493-0529
Fax: 941-493-0158

For hours of operation, items they will and will not accept, and volunteer opportunities at the store, please click here!

How do I make a donation?

Donations of money, materials, and labor are needed to help Partner/Applicants succeed in making their Habitat house a home. Homeowner mortgage payments are used to build more houses, and the return on your investment never stops. Your gift continues to help God’s people in need through the years.

• Monetary donations: Since Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization, it relies on charitable gifts. There are several ways to make a cash donation to Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota Co., Inc.

• Credit Card:  Please call the office at 941-493-6606 and we can process over phone.
• Mail - Donations in the form of checks and money orders can be mailed to us at the below address. Please make the check or money order payable to Habitat for Humanity, South Sarasota Co., Inc. A receipt for your donation will be mailed to you.  For a Mail in Donation Form click here.

Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota Co., Inc.
280 Alligator Drive
Venice, Florida 34293

• In person donations – Donations in the form of checks, money orders, and cash can be made at our office at the above address during our business hours. The office is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM to 5 PM. A receipt of your donation will be mailed to you.
• Please contact Maryann Terry, Director of Development, for information on a donation of stock, or including Habitat in your estate plans.
  
  For more information see our Donation Page.