*Note: These are simply general guidelines the Family Selection Committee uses. Please use these guidelines to get a general understanding of our selection criteria.
When selecting families for the homes, Wild Rivers Habitat considers:

1. Need for Housing
2. Ability to Pay
3. Willingness to Partner
4. Family Size
5. Residency

Housing need. Selected families must demonstrate a need for adequate shelter. Some examples of this are overcrowded housing, dilapidated or unsafe housing, or rental payments exceeding 30% of their household income.

Ability to Pay. Habitat has established income guidelines that set a lower and upper limit for selection. To calculate your income, we look at all income for every adult member (18 years or over) in the household. We include all sources of income (employment, SSI, child support, etc. In all cases, families are either low or very low-income as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for Burnett County, Wisconsin.

Willingness to Partner with Wild Rivers Habitat. Wild Rivers Habitat considers the homeowner families to be partners in the building process. As partners, each family must put in 300-500 hours of "sweat equity" working primarily at the Habitat construction site. The amount of sweat equity required is determined by whether there is one or two adults in the household. The work varies and construction experience is not necessary. Hours may also be earned by attending workshops, and a portion of the hours may be donated by friends and extended family. Additionally, families need to save money to pay for the cost of closing escrow

A commitment to the sweat equity policy is the heart of the Habitat homeownership program. 500 hours is a lot of time, and it will take dedication, and sometimes sacrifice, in order to complete the hours. But the experience is a rewarding one because it is an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people as you help build your home and the homes of your future neighbors!

Family Size. Household composition determines the size of home each family qualifies for. Family size limitations are based upon existing federal and state fair housing guidelines. Our policy is as follows: Parent(s) or adult(s) get one bedroom (one room per couple if cohabitating). Children will be expected to share a bedroom (one bedroom for every two children), unless (1) they are of opposite sex, or (2) they are five or more years apart in ago. Wild Rivers Habitat generally builds 3 and 4 bedroom homes.

Residency. To qualify for our program, you must be a current resident of Burnett County or the townships of Lorain, Clam Falls, or West Sweden in Polk County.