Homebuyer Frequently Asked Questions

 Selection is based on the need for housing, ability to pay and willingness to become a Habitat Homebuyer Partner.

1. Must be a US Citizen and have a viable connection to Teller County.
2. Must have a need for housing, such as, living in inadequate housing, paying more than 30% of disposable income for housing or unable to purchase a home through conventional means.
3. Habitat Homebuyer Partners must have an income between $25,000 and $65,000 with a 2 year work history and have a 640 credit score.
4. Habitat Homebuyer Partners put in 300 – 400 hours of sweat equity in the construction of their home and those of other Habitat homeowners before moving into their home.

 Yes. Past or current credit difficulty does not automatically exclude you from the application process.  Credit counseling is provided.

Yes. Past criminal activity does not automatically exclude you from consideration for a Habitat home.

An application form and supporting documentation must be submitted, then the Homebuyer Services Director will conduct an initial face to face interview.  If the interview indicates the applicant meets the minimum requirements, the Homebuyer Support Committee will review the application and all supplemental material. Based on these documents and the recommendation from the Homebuyer Services Director, the Committee may make an offer to the applicant to become a committed Homebuyer Partner.  Those who are not chosen by the committee are given a detailed reason and provided suggestions to prepare for re-submission in the future.

Habitat relies on donations and volunteers to build houses, so it is not possible to say how many houses we can build in any specific time frame. Across the country, it is not unusual for a prospective Habitat homeowner to wait at least one year before their home is completed. The application process can take as long as 3 months and the building process may take 6-12 months or longer.

Property tax and insurance payments are included in the monthly mortgage payment to the lender and are accumulated in an escrow account that is used to pay those expenses when they are due.

It is important that house payments are made on time. Habitat does not hold mortgages and does not receive payment from Homeowners. USDA has the right to take legal action if house payments are not received when due, and, if necessary, will foreclose on the home.

All home maintenance not covered by a Home Owners Association will be your responsibility. The Home Owner Education Program will cover topics including Proper Home Maintenance and provide you training in all areas of minor repairs to your home.  Homeowners will be provided with a list of service providers for larger repairs and a warranty program for repairs is also provided.  Habitat provides ongoing reminders to homeowners for seasonal preventative maintenance.  It’s important to maintain your home to retain the value and to take advantage of the market increases in value should you ever need to sell your home.  Also, the appearance of your home and yard is a testimony to the benefits of Habitat homes in our community.

Yes. The USDA mortgage lender has no restrictions, however any subsidy (grants) that were provided may need to be recaptured in whole or in part, upon sale of the home. Also, Habitat for Humanity of Teller County will have limitations in place to prevent “flipping” of a home for a quick profit.  The limitations will be covered in our orientation class before you engage in the purchase of a Habitat home.

Your circle of friends and extended family can contribute up to 100 hours towards your required sweat equity.

Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, Cripple Creek, Victor (all of Teller County)

WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING HOMEBUYER APPLICATIONS

You may qualify for a 1, 2, 3, or 4 bedroom home based on your current family size and depending upon how many males and females are in your family. Couples share a bedroom. Adults over the age of 18 years that are not couples do not share bedrooms. Same gender children over 10 do not share bedrooms. No more than 2 people are in each bedroom.

Read all of the info on this web site, visit our Facebook Page or call the office at 719-687-4447. You can also sign up to be a volunteer!

Teller County Public Health
719-687-6416
11115 W. Hwy 24, Unit 2C Divide CO 80814

• Free Health Navigation with Medicaid and Medicaid eligible clients and their families
• Functions include providing help in setting up medical homes, identifying challenges with transportation, finances, who to trust, and to identify community resources
• Other food and health information/services

Department of Social Services
719-687-3335
800 Research Dr. Suite 100 Woodland Park
Open M-F, 8-4:30

Mission Medical Clinic
719-219-3402
2125 East LaSalle Street, Colorado Springs

• Free medical help for chronic illness
• Prescription assistance

LEAP – Low Income Energy Assistance Program
866-432-8435

Help the Needy
719-687-7273
117 North Center Street, Woodland Park
Open M-T, 9-4

Community Partnership Family Resource Center
719-686-0705
1115 Highway 24, UNIT 2D, Divide
Open M-T, 9-4

• Adult education
• Basic service needs
• Health coverage and resources

Storehouse Ministries
719-229-4512
Woodland Park Community Church 7000 Valley View Dr. Suite B
Open M/T/T, 9-12

• Offers car help
• Counseling/Support Groups/Recovery
• Financial Assistance for basic needs
• Food pantry/meals
• Transitional housing and firewood 6879444

http://www.woodlandparkcommunitychurch.com/connect/storehouse/

Community Cupboard
719-687-3663
Food Pantry 414 North Highway 67, Woodland Park
Open M/W/F, 9:30-11:30

Our Lady of the Woods
719-687-1260
116 S. West Street, Woodland Park
Open last Sunday of each month, 11-1

Little Chapel of the Hills Church
719-322-7610
Food Pantry 69 County Road 5, Divide

Seventh Day Adventist Church
719-687-1260
Soup kitchen 1000 North Highway 67, Woodland Park
Open T/W, 12-1

Pet Food Pantry for Teller County
719-686-1839
Pet food 69 County Road 5, Divide
Open 2nd and 4th Mondays, 4:30-6:30

Church in the Wildwood
719-684-9427
Food Pantry 1058 Ute Pass Avenue, Green Mountain Falls
Open Tuesday, 6-8, includes dinner and box of food to go

Marian House/Catholic Charities
719-636-2345
14 West Bijou, Colorado Springs
Soup Kitchen – M-S, 10:30-1; Sunday, 8:30-1
Life Support – M-F, 9-12

Pikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus
5675 S. Academy Blvd.
Aspen Building
Free tax help Saturdays, Jan 24- April 11

Teller County Finance Department
719-686-7920
Centennial Building 112 North A Street Cripple Creek
Open 8-5

Teller County Human Resources
719-689-2988
Centennial Building Cripple Creek
Open 8-5

R.J. Montgomery Center Shelter
719-578-9190
709 S Sierra Madre St, Colorado Springs
Open 24/7

Colorado Springe Rescue Mission
719-632-1822
5 W Las Vegas St, Colorado Springs
Open M-F, 9-4:30

Aspen Mine Center
719-689-3684
166 East Bennet Avenue, Cripple Creek
Open M-F, 8-5

Services for veterans and families

Online Services
http://www.co.teller.co.us/

Assorted Printable Coupons
http://www.americantowns.com/co/teller-county-coupons