Families with a dream of owning a home may have opportunities available through Escambia County Habitat for Humanity.

Although specific guidelines for homeownership are necessary, special orientation sessions in the coming weeks may help clear up questions for potential homeowners through the organization.

Anyone interested in becoming a possible homeowner through HFH of Escambia County is encouraged to attend one of the sessions planned throughout the county.

The first session planned will be held in Flomaton at the Flomaton Public Library on Monday, April 29 beginning at 3 p.m. A second session on Monday will be held at Flomaton Elementary School at 5 p.m.

On Tuesday, April 30, interested families in the Brewton and East Brewton area may attend an orientation session at the Habita offices located inside the Habitat Restore beginning at 2 p.m. A second session on Tuesday will be held at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Brewton.

Atmore area families may attend orientations sessions set for Monday, May 6. Session one will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church with a 6 p.m. session planned at the First United Methodist Church on Pensacola Avenue.

To qualify for the Habitat program:

1. You must have been living in substandard housing in Escambia County, AL for at least one year. Substandard housing can be defined as structurally unsound, plumbing or electrical problems, unsafe environment or temporary (i.e. Section 8 or Housing Authority), overcrowding, renting, living with family member.
2. You must have a stable verifiable income of approximately $13,000 – $23,000 per year. (Income limits vary due to family size) Documentation verifying income must accompany your application.
3. You must be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity in building your home and the homes of others.  Each homeowner family is required to invest 450 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of their home and other Habitat homes.
4. You must be willing to accept responsibility for repaying Habitat what it costs to build/renovate the home. Habitat for Humanity offers a 20 year no-interest mortgage.

For more information, please contact the Escambia County Habitat for Humanity office by phone or e-mail: 251-867-0095; habitat@escambiahfh.org