HOMEOWNER HOW TO....
Brown County Habitat is actively looking for "partner
families" who can show the need, can afford a mortgage,
and provide the "sweat equity" required to qualify as a
candidate for a future house.  You must have an income,
you must be able to work and you must believe in the
principles of Habitat for Humanity.  If you or someone you
know may qualify, contact us.
PO Box 260
Nashville, IN 47448-4926
Phone: 812-988-4926



Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing
organization that partners with families of all faiths to build simple, decent,
and affordable houses.  Habitat sells the homes with a 0% interest loan and
at no profit, which keeps the cost of the home low.
In order to qualify for a Habitat home, applicants must meet three criteria
through an application and interview process.  The three criteria are:
  • Need for Housing
  • Ability to Pay
  • Willingness to Participate as a Partner with Habitat




You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not
adequate, and if you are unable to obtain a home mortgage through
conventional means.  Lack of adequate housing may include overcrowding,
or problems with the current structure: water, electrical, septic, etc.  The
percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is
considered to determine need.  You will be required to openly and fully
discuss your financial situation with a Habitat interviewer. You must currently
live in Brown County and your and your family will be considered if your total
family income falls within the approved range.  For example:  In 2009, the
range for a family of four is $22,000-$39,000.



Since you will actually be buying your house from Habitat, you must
demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment.  The
monthly payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the
payment for real estate taxes and insurance as well.  Therefore, a family will
need to meet minimum requirements.  (See the example: family of four
above.)Habitat does not want to jeopardize your ability to meet all your other
family financial obligations, and once your qualify, we will work with your to
establish an affordable payment plan and a workable family budget.




Once selected, you will become a "partner family" in Habitat.  As such, you
will be expected to make a commitment to help advance the Habitat mission.  
Habitat is a Christian organization, open to all faiths.  We believe we are
called to show Christ's love through our actions, building homes as well as
lives.

A partner family makes a commitment to provide at least 250 hours of
"sweat equity" in helping to build their own house as well as assisting with
other Habitat projects.

A partner family will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of the
Habitat House from the time they move in.

A partner family will need to complete at least 8 hours of homeowner training
classes (provided by Habitat) which includes financial counseling and
household maintenance education.
APPLY FOR A HOME
NEED FOR HOUSING
WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE AS A PARTNER
ABILITY TO PAY
HABITAT NEWSLETTERS
Attention!
E-mail address for Brown County
Habitat: contact@bc-habitat.com
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information.
2011 Partner Family
Tyria McKain and her son Devin
Brown County Habitat for Humanity is pleased to
announce their new partner family for the 2011
build. Tyria McKain and her son Devin will be the
recipients of the 14th home since Habitat began in
Brown County in 1989. This year Habitat will be
able to utilize property on Eads Lane off of Old 46
east of Nashville. The long awaited sewer hook-up
in the Coffey Hill area will allow a new energy-
efficient home to be built for the McKain’s. After
years of living in substandard rentals and being
flooded out on several occasions, losing many of
their possessions, this is a dream-come-true for
Tyria and Devin.

Tyria has lived in the Brown-Morgan-Monroe area
most of her life after graduation from Franklin
High School. She lost her father, James Goins, at a
young age, but not before he taught her how to
swim, fish, hunt and survive off the land. Her
mom, Rita, a nurse at St Frances Hospital, and
step-father Rodney Gunter have been an
important influence as well, inspiring her love of
animals and the out-of-doors. Both Rita and
Rodney (GP Construction) will be actively involved
in the house build contributing some of the
required “equity” hours.

The love of animals, specifically sheep and rabbits,
has led to Tyria and Devin’s involvement in Brown
County 4-H. Tyria is a member of the Brown
County 4-H Council and the 4-H Livestock
Auction Committee at the fair this year. Devin will
be a participant and show both sheep and rabbits.

Both Tyria and Devin are looking forward to the
many aspects of preparing for home ownership.
Linda Morris and Jim Drum, as active members of
Habitat’s Family Nurture Committee, will be co-
sponsoring the Partner Family and assisting
throughout the building process and beyond.