Homeownership

Become a Homeowner

Habitat is a "hand up" and not a "handout".

Are you looking to purchase a home?

At Paris/Lamar County Habitat for Humanity, we are dedicated to assisting hardworking families in our community who are in need of decent, affordable housing, empowering them to cultivate strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

With a growing Habitat family of over 25 Partner Families, we are committed to expanding our support network. The journey to homeownership begins with a pre-application qualification phase, followed by a regular application phase, and then the construction and 'sweat equity' phases upon approval for the program. Throughout this process, we provide unwavering support and guidance, fostering a strong relationship with each family.

Paris/Lamar County Habitat for Humanity upholds a nondiscriminatory policy in family selection. Our Homeownership Services Committee and Board of Directors select Habitat Homeowners through an impartial process, devoid of consideration for race or religion. We prioritize selecting families most in need of housing support, ensuring fairness and equity in our selection process. We are currently not accepting applicants at this time. If you have any questions, please visit our office for more information.

Could you be a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner?

Paris/Lamar County Habitat for Humanity holds the mortgage and funds received are used to build more Habitat homes. Habitat homes are built using volunteer labor and some donated materials and services. P/LCHFH provides support to the partner family as part of the home building process. Home ownership is a big responsibility. Once a month, Homeowner College meets with the future homeowners to address issues with which they will have to deal, such as home maintenance and finances. We are currently not accepting applicants at this time. If you have any questions, please visit our office for more information.

Would You Qualify?

  • Are you living in substandard housing?
  • Are you having to live with someone, rather than in your own home?
  • Are you able to meet the partnership requirements, such as sweat equity, a down payment, and meeting monthly home payments?
  • Do you want to own a home? Habitat can help.

Homeowner Qualifications:

Minimum/maximum GROSS incomes needed to qualify (based on a percentage of HUD guidelines) are as follows:

Family of 1 - $21,200.00 to $37,100.00

Family of 2 - $24,200.00 to $42,350.00

Family of 3 - $27,240.00 to $47,670.00

Family of 4 - $30,240.00 to $52,920.00

Family of 5 - $32,680.00 to $57,190.00


The income of all individuals moving into the

Habitat house is included in the computing of

total family income. Income from child sup-

port, TANIF, WIC, and food stamps may be

included.

Applicant must have been in current job for at least 6 months or show consistent income, such as Social Security, etc.

The computed house payments, including taxes and insurance, plus the monthly payments of all outstanding loans must not exceed 30%-42% of the applicant’s t monthly income.

A satisfactory credit history and references will be required.

Closing costs and a year’s insurance premium will be required at closing, but payments toward that amount may be paid and saved during the acceptance period.

Family must agree to work 300 hours on Habitat projects and hours must be completed by the closing date. Family Nurture Committee will monitor the family’s progress.

A Habitat family is required to be a resident of Lamar County for at least one year prior to the application date. Habitat homes are built within the city limits of Paris, as well as into Lamar County.

P/LCHFH follows the Fair Housing, Equal Opportunity, and Equal Credit Opportunity acts.

Important Notice

In compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), we will not discriminate against any applicant based on their race, color, religion, sex, handicap, national origin or familial status. In addition, we comply with the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act which prohibits creditors from discriminating against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age (providing the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract); because all or part of the applicant’s income derives from public assistance program; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised a right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that monitors compliance with the law concerning this creditor is the Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

We are currently not accepting applicants at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are "Sweat Equity" hours?

    “Sweat Equity” is the term we use to describe a homeowner’s volunteer hours. After signing the Letter of Intent agreement, each qualified Partner Family is required to complete between 300-400 sweat equity hours before closing and moving into their home.


    You earn Sweat Equity hours by:

    Working on your home

    Helping build another Partner Family’s Habitat home

    Acting as an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity and attend community outreach events

    All sweat equity hours must be properly recorded and submitted to the Homeownership Services department.

  • What is expected of qualified Partner Families waiting for their home?

    Invest 300 hours of “sweat equity” on their home, other homes, and more

    Attend Homeowner workshop classes

    Follow through on financial goals toward homeownership


  • If I qualify for the Homeownership Program, do I get a free home?

    NO. We sell our homes at market value – our Partner Families. Our selected Partner Families receive a zero interest loan on an up to 40-year mortgage and pay affordable monthly payments. Partner Families also put in 300 hours of “sweat equity” into building their home alongside our volunteers and community partners. 

  • What is expected of Habitat Homeowners once they have closed on their home?

    Make timely monthly payments

    Maintain their home

    Continue to be a witness for and partner of Paris Lamar County Habitat for Humanity.

  • Where do you build homes?

    We build in and serve the communities of Paris and Lamar County.


    Please contact us to learn more information.

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