amilies with a dream of owning a home available through Escambia County Habitat for Humanity  can soon apply for future builds.

Alecia Glaize, executive director for the local Habitat chapter, said a series of three potential homeowners sessions are set and include:

• Thurs., Feb. 20, at 1 p.m., at the Habitat office, located in the Habitat ReStore on Douglas Ave., and at 6 p.m. at the Second Siloam Missionary Baptist Church, located at 209 East Street in Eat Brewton; and,

• Mon., Feb. 24, at 6 p.m., at Cornerstone Community Church, located on Belleview, Ave.

Glaize said these orientation sessions in the coming weeks may help clear up questions for potential homeowners through the organization.

“Habitat is seeking applicants, but one must meet certain qualifications to qualify,” Glaize said. Those qualifications include:

• being an Escambia County resident living in substandard housing 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.

• have a decent credit history with a stable verifiable income of approximately $13,000 – $23,000 per year. Income limits vary due to family size, and documentation verifying income must accompany one’s application.

• the willingness to contribute 400 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of their home and other Habitat homes.

• the willingness to accept responsibility for repaying Habitat what it costs to build/renovate the home. Habitat for Humanity offers a 20 year no-interest mortgage.

“And most importantly, the desire to own their own home and be willing to make sacrifices to make it happen,” she said. For more information, contact the Escambia County Habitat for Humanity office by phone at or by email at .