Individuals & families wanting to apply for a Habitat home in the East St. Tammany communities of Slidell, Lacombe, Alton, and Pearl River must meet the following criteria:

• Need for Shelter- You need to demonstrate that you are in need of housing and are currently living in overcrowded, temporary, or substandard housing; or that you are at risk of losing housing for any reason. You also need to prove that you are unable to qualify for a conventional mortgage.
• Willingness to partner- You need to be willing to complete 250 hours of "Sweat Equity." This normally means working construction on other homes, as well as your own home, prior to becoming a homeowner. Other work opportunities will be made available for persons with disabilities. The hours are considered part of your down payment for the house. You will also need to participate in the Home Partner Education Program (orientation, budgeting classes, New Homebuyer Training). On occasion you will be asked to participate in media and/or meetings with the house sponsor.
• Ability to pay- ESTHFH sells the house to you for the cost of land and building expenses. You will have an interest free loan repayable over twenty to twenty-five years. Average monthly payments include your mortgage, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, and property/city taxes. The current monthly payment is approximately $475 for a new three bedroom home! Your ability to pay will be confirmed in budget counseling with an NHS Northshore Housing Resource Center Counseling representative. You must also demonstrate ability to pay closing costs, which are due on the day of your house closing. Closing costs currently average $4,000.
• Income Requirements: Your household income must be between 30% and 60% of Louisiana’s median income.

To apply for a Habitat home, you must enter the NHS Northshore Housing Resource Center’s program and proceed with them until they refer your case to ESTHFH. Applications are available for pickup in the Habitat office.