The Southeast Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is looking for two eligible families for its next build.

Sheri Bueckert is Chair of the Family Selection Committee. She says they are hoping to build a duplex this year at 62 Elm Street in Mitchell.

Bueckert says the selection process includes taking in applications, screening, interviews and ensuring potential families meet eligibility criteria.

(The duplex will be built near the intersection of Elm and Oakview in Mitchell.)According to Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, the following criteria must be met to be eligible:

• The applicant must be employed for a minimum of the past two years in the community in which the house will be built.
• Must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada.
• Must not be receiving income from Employment & Income Assistance (social assistance).
• Must be ready to live where Habitat is building in the community.
• Must be willing to complete 500 sweat equity hours prior to house possession.
• Preference will be given to families with young children.
• Present housing must be at least one of the following: too expensive, too small, unsafe, or substandard; applicants cannot currently own a house.
• Prepared to purchase a home at market value and able to commit to a mortgage. Monthly mortgage payments (which include property taxes) are 27% of total family income as defined on line 150 of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment.
• Total family income as defined on line 150 of the CRA Notice of Assessment must be less than $75,592. Minimum income to qualify for the program is $26,444.
• Must be willing to provide the most recent CRA Notice of Assessment, as well as consent for Habitat to contact references from employer, landlord, and 2 other people who know the family well.
• Must be willing to provide your last 3 pay statements from all jobs and 2 months of all bank and financial statements, including credit card statements.
• Must consent to a credit check.
• Must be at least 3 years since bankruptcy has been discharged.

According to Bueckert, Habitat for Humanity has all the money in place in order to begin construction.

"So they are ready to break ground from their end," she says. "But obviously the first step is we need to find the families that are approved for this. So once families are approved, we are ready to get going."

Bueckert says it is difficult to put a timeline on how quickly the duplex might be built. Each family must put in 500 hours of sweat equity, but Bueckert says these are already working families. She suggests 18 months is the typical length of time for a build.

If you need additional information or think your family might be eligible, please contact Sheri Bueckert at habitatsesheri@hotmail.com.