Families are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. After the Family Services Committee determines that the applicant meets the income requirements, the family is interviewed at their home in order to confirm that the family is currently living in substandard housing and in need of an affordable, decent house.

In addition, a family must be willing to partner with Habitat Providence on the construction of their new house. The family must contribute between 300 and 500 hours of Sweat Equity on their own house and on other Habitat families’ houses.

Upon a positive review by the Family Services Committee, the family is presented to the Board for approval. The applicant family is then provisionally approved and must be available to start the Sweat Equity hours. Upon completion of 25% of the Sweat Equity hours, the family will be assigned to a project, which will become their house.