Habitat houses are affordable because there is no profit included in the sales price and no interest charged on the mortgage. Currently, the average cost of a house for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana is $50,000 with an average mortgage of 20 years.

You will be considered for a Habitat home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means.

Lack of adequate housing may include problems with: the present structure, water, electrical or sewage systems; heating system; or failure to meet city property maintenence standards. Also taken into consideration are the number and ages of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your present home.

The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine your need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with a Habitat interviewer.

In order to get a Habitat home you must put in an application for housing. When applying, income must fall within the income limits described below.

Number in Family              Gross Annual Income Range

2                                                $15,600 to $26,785

3                                                $16,800 to $27,985

4                                                 $18,000 to $29,185

5                                                 $18,390 to $34,350

6                                                 $18,880 to $36,530

7                                                 $19,830 to $38,960

8                                                 $20,780 to $41,390

9 or more                                    $23,400 to $46,500

Since you will be actually buying your home from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the payment for city property taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to meet all your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility. There is no interest on the loan for a Habitat home.

Mortgage + Property Taxes + Insurance = Monthly Payment

(Guidelines adjusted annually)

When selected, you become a "partner family" in the Habitat program, and you must complete 350 hours of volunteer work with Habitat, which will count toward your total "sweat equity" contribution to be completed before becoming a homeowner.

Your assistance in constucting your home and the homes of others is called "sweat equity," and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with construction, providing food for volunteers or working in the Habitat office. Your family and friends can help you with completing your sweat equity hours, and you are given fourteen months to complete these hours. Paid help cannot be attributed to sweat equity hours. Also, those who qualify will be required to complete a first-time homebuyers credit counseling course.

You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your house from the time you move into your home. After moving into your home, Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana will maintain an ongoing relationship with you. This includes financial counseling and household maintenence education.

Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana takes applications for housing for three months each year from March 1st through May 31st. If you would like an application you can call the office at 318-868-8040 or you can download a copy from this page.

Download an Application for Housing

Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana takes applications for three months each year from March 1st through May 31st. If you would like an application you can call the office at 318-868-8040 or you can download a copy from this page.

The following housing applications are in PDF format. You'll need Adobe Reader to view them.

Download Application

After printing and completing the five-page application you can mail it to us at:

Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana
106 E. Kings Hwy #206
Shreveport, LA 71104

Application Checklist

Before you mail your application to Habitat for Humanity of NW Louisiana, please review the following checklist to make sure you have included all of the necessary information to complete your application. 

1.     Sign the application.

2.     Include income verification for everyone in the household who is employed. We need check stubs from the last two months and/or award letters to verify any public assistance. 

3.  Sign and return the Credit Release and Authentication Form with application.

4.     Mail the application to the address above. 

If any additional information is needed to process your application you will be contacted.