Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity will hold information meetings in Aurora and Batavia for prospective homeowners.
The public is invited. Applications to be partners with Habitat will be available.
Information will be provided at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Avenue; Tuesday, April 14, at 6 p.m. at Genesis Community Church, 1300 S. Broadway in Montgomery; Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at Batavia Public Library; and Thursday, June 18, at 6 p.m. at Genesis Community Church, Montgomery.
Debi Albright, Habitat director of operations, will explain how to become a Habitat homeowner. Current Habitat homeowners will speak.
To RSVP, or for more information, call 630-206-5031 or send to d.albright@foxvalleyhabitat.org.
Qualifications for becoming a Habitat homeowner include:
• Need for housing due to overcrowding, unsafe conditions, cost.
• Ability to repay no-interest mortgage held by Habitat.
• Willingness to volunteer 500 hours of sweat equity through working on Habitat homes or at fundraisers and other events.
• Meet Habitat income guidelines, earn 30% to 80% of average median income.
Reverend Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director and Genesis Church pastor, said, “Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity needs help. We are seeking five families that are currently renting or living with relatives that do not qualify with a bank for a mortgage to buy their own home.
“All of our Habitat families say they were not going to apply because they were positive they would not be accepted. However, we specialize in families that banks won’t accept.
“Many (Fox Valley) area families are living in substandard apartments, moving frequently to find a better place to live and many spend over half of their income on rent. With Fox Valley Habitat, they can own a beautiful affordable home that never exceeds 30 percent of their income. Often their mortgage payments including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, are less than the cost to rent.
“Please help us find families that need our hand up to transform their lives through affordable housing.” Rev. Barrett said.
—Al Benson