The Family Selection Committee works to carry out the Board’s vision by defining the population in need of decent, affordable housing, and by developing processes and policies for selecting those in greatest need.
The size of the Family Selection Committee will vary depending on the needs of the affiliate and is comprised of York Region residents. The committee has a Chair, a Minute Taker, a Board Liaison and members who are responsible for reviewing applications and responsible for conducting home visits.
Choosing the families to own a Habitat for Humanity home is one of the most difficult and challenging aspects. Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity has said “The Family Selection Committee is the most important committee in Habitat for Humanity. I say that because Habitat is a people-centered work, and not merely a house-building organization. We are about people-building and community-building as well as house-building.”
Families who qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home are chosen based on the following criteria:
1. The need for adequate shelter
2. Ability to pay for a Habitat home
3. Willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity
Need for Adequate Housing
Circumstances such as overcrowding, deplorable physical conditions of the dwelling, current neighbourhood unsuitability, current housing payment exceeds 35% of gross income and is unaffordable, or other factors that constitute "inadequate or substandard" living conditions are key factors in our selection process.
Ability to pay for a Habitat Home
Family income that is too low to enable the family to secure conventional financing from a bank or other traditional lending institution, but sufficient for them to make the monthly payments on the no-profit and no-interest Habitat mortgage is also a selection criteria.
Willingness to Partner with Habitat for Humanity
Families must be willing to fulfill the requirements of Habitat homeownership by putting in the mandatory “sweat equity” hours in building their own houses and other Habitat houses. Approved families must demonstrate that they take care of their current residence and will maintain their Habitat home upon occupancy.