| Frequently Asked Questions |
Q: Does Holston Habitat for Humanity help with home repairs?
A: No. Holston Habitat for Humanity does not assist with any home repairs. Our main focus is on the construction of new houses for low-income families in need.
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Q: What is Holston Habitat for Humanity’s service area?
A: Holston Habitat for Humanity’s service area includes Sullivan, Washington, and Carter Counties in Tennessee, as well as the city of Bristol, Virginia. Families who live outside of this standard service area can call the Holston Habitat for Humanity Office at 423-239-7689 to learn more about what they may do to qualify with Holston Habitat for Humanity in the future.
Q: Where does Holston Habitat for Humanity build houses?
A: Holston Habitat for Humanity owns vacant building lots throughout the Tri-Cities area. Houses are primarily built within the city limits of Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Elizabethton and Jonesborough. Every once in a while a house may be built in the county area, but this is rare.
Q: What happens if I own land or have family who will give me land for my house to be built?
A: It may be possible for Habitat to build your house on land that you own or that is given to you by family. Habitat will discuss the details of this further with you if you application is approved.
Q: How large are Habitat houses?
A: 2-bedroom houses are 880 sq. ft.
3-bedroom houses are 1040 sq. ft.
4-bedroom houses are 1248 sq. ft.
Q: How does Habitat determine the size of house that my family will receive?
A: If approved, the size of house that your family will receive is based upon the size of your family. Habitat will discuss this further with you during the education program and as you get closer to your house being built.
Q: Do the houses all look the same?
A: Habitat homes are built using standard footprints and layouts. However, families have several finish choices and options to help make their house feel like their home. Families’ choices include siding color, shingle color, shutter color, countertop color, flooring, light fixtures, landscaping, and other options.
Q: Do appliances come with the home?
A: Yes. A new Whirlpool refrigerator and stove are standard in every home. A washer, dryer and dishwasher may be purchased at an additional cost.
Q: Can my children help earn sweat equity hours?
A: Children must be at least 14 years old and accompanied by a responsible adult to complete any work on a construction site. Even then, the types of work they can do are restricted. Children under the age of 14 can help earn sweat equity hours in other ways such as attending dedications, attending the Homeowner picnic, assisting with lot maintenance (depending on the age of the child and as long as proper supervision and safety measures are being followed), etc.
Q: How long will it take for my house to be built?
A: If approved, the length of time until your house is built is largely up to your family and how quickly you work through the program. Typically, it takes families 12 to 18 months until their house is built.
Q: Can I pay the entire $500 down payment at one time?
A: No. We ask families to pay monthly installments towards the down payment so that they get in the practice of setting money aside each month. We hope that once the down payment in complete our families will continue setting money aside to be used for emergency savings.
Q: When are Homeowner Education classes held?
A: Homeowner Education classes are held twice a month for five months from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Habitat Office. Classes will be scheduled when there are enough newly approved families in the program to begin a new education group. The Family Services Coordinator will contact all of the newly approved families to determine what day of the week would work best for all of the families who will be apart of the new education group.
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