Habitat for Humanity looking for first-time homeowners for new houses

Group will build based on need

The Habitat for Humanity of La Crosse is looking for three families that need a new home built. 

An informational meeting will be held from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the Habitat ReStore to get people started on the application process. 

Executive Director Kahaya Fox says not all the houses are the same.

“We’ll kind of cater the houses to them,” she said. “Larger families will be looking at building lager houses, so that’s why we’re doing selection at this time.

“We can get an idea of what the needs of a family are and help them as we are finalizing plans on the house.”

To be eligible:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• You cannot currently own a home.
• You must have lived in La Crosse, Trempealeau, Vernon, or Houston county for a year before applying.
• You cannot have had property foreclosed on for one year before applying.
• You cannot have had a bankruptcy for one year before applying.
• Your total family income must fall between 30% to 60% of area median income (read more about qualifications here).

Other qualifications Fox mentioned was the willingness to commit 350 hours of sweat equity toward the house and be credit-worthy to purchase a home.

If you’re still qualified, bring pay stubs, your latest tax returns, proof of expenses, proof of benefits – if you have them.

After that, a special committee will decide what three families qualify.

“Of those who would be eligible,” Fox said, “they’ll set up times to go do home visits and actually visit the families, to see if there’s a need for them for housing.”

Right now, Habitat is currently working on two projects – one on 10th St. and one on the corner of Fifth and Mississippi.