More than 1.8 billion people lack decent shelter, this touches every corner of the globe including Kosciusko County.

Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County is seeking  qualified applicants based on the following three main criteria. First, there must be a need. This can be quantified by too many people living in too small a space, including too few bedrooms for children; living in substandard conditions; living with family or friends; paying more than 30 percent of income in rent, etc.

Second, there must be an ability to repay. Habitat sells the constructed homes to partner families with an interest-free mortgage ranging 20–25 years and can only approve families between 30 percent and 60 percent of the area median income.

The third main criteria is the family must be willing to Partner with Habitat. Habitat calls them partner families because it is the partnership between the family, Habitat and the donors/volunteers that makes the whole program work. Habitat requires 250 hours of sweat equity per able bodied adult in the household. In addition, financial literacy and homeownership classes are required.

Habitat encourages families that meet these three main criteria and have lived or worked within Kosciusko County for the past year to download the Pre-Qualification worksheet from the website at  www.kosciuskohabitat.com/homeownership; or call 574-269-4104 or email [email protected] to request the worksheet.