1. Cover Page

3. Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Table of Contents..............................................................................................................................i
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
Before You Begin ....................................................................................................................... 3
Limits to Use............................................................................................................................... 4
Equipment Needed...................................................................................................................... 4
How to Complete the Pre-Screening Process ................................................................................. 7
What to Do When Applicants Call ............................................................................................. 7
How to Complete Required Pre-Screening Documents.............................................................. 7
How to Submit Personal Information ......................................................................................... 7
How to Submit Background Check and Verification Forms ...................................................... 8
How to Submit Government Information ................................................................................... 9
How to Complete the Budget Expense Verification................................................................... 9
How to Complete the Application Process ................................................................................... 13
How to Complete the Family Review Process ......................................................................... 13
How to Complete Home Visitations ......................................................................................... 13
How to Recommend the Family to the Board of Directors ...................................................... 13
What to Do Once the Family is Completely Reviewed ............................................................ 14
Family Services Liaison............................................................................................................ 14
How to Collect and Record Sweat Equity Hours.......................................................................... 17
What Are Sweat Equity Hours.................................................................................................. 17
How to Collect Sweat Equity Hours......................................................................................... 17
How to Enter Sweat Equity Hours Online................................................................................ 17
After Sweat Equity Hours Are Completed ............................................................................... 18
Index.............................................................................................................................................. 19

5. Introduction 1

7. Introduction 3
Introduction
In this manual we will explain the processes of:
 Pre-screening applicants
 Checking pre-qualification requirements
 Following up with approved applicants
 Sending and filing documents
 Scheduling and conducting home visitations
 Assigning a family services liaison
 Assisting applicants in earning sweat equity hours
The manual will address the most common questions that typical applicants’ tend to have, as
well as any limitations that would cause Habitat for Humanity Denton County (HFHDC) to
consider an applicant ineligible for our services.
Before You Begin
The Habitat for HFHDC application process will be completed within a sixty to ninety day
timeframe.
The applicant must meet the following requirements for HFHDC to consider the applicant
eligible for the homeownership program. The applicant:
 Must reside in Denton County for at least one year prior to applying
 Must provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residence
 Must be a first-time homeowner
 Must provide proof of stable income from the last six months
 Must have a satisfactory credit rating
 Must pass a criminal background check
 Must have family debt lower than forty percent of the family income
 Must not have unpaid judgements or wages garnished from bankruptcy
 Must be able to earn 350 to 400 sweat equity hours
 Must currently live in substandard housing
Provide deadline dates and schedule appointments throughout the application process to ensure
the applicant will be able to assume the responsibilities of homeownership. Applicants may have
their application process discontinued due to non-compliance. In addition, the applicant may be
denied acceptance into the homeownership program if the applicant does not:
 Provide requested documentation on or before the given deadlines without explanation or
warning
 Attend scheduled appointments punctually
 Call in advance (preferably, one hour) to reschedule appointments in the event of an
emergency or unavoidable circumstance

8. 4 How to Complete The Application Process
Limits to Use
Date of Revision: May 2, 2016
This manual cannot help the employee in interacting with applicants who speak a foreign
language. Also, this manual does not include graphic examples of navigating the Keystone
system. Lastly, the scope of this manual only covers the application process.
Equipment Needed
 W-2 Statements or 2010 tax forms
 Tax returns
 Proof of income, including:
o Social security income
o Child support
o Food stamps
o Alimony
 Check stubs dating back two months
 Bank account statements
 Addresses and telephone numbers from:
o Landlords
o Employers
o Banks
o Creditors
 Bankruptcy papers (if applicable)
 Divorce or separation papers (if applicable)
 Government issued photo ID and social security card
 Proof of residence (Utility Bill)
 Citizenship/Legal resident status

9. Application Process 3

11. How to Complete the Pre-Screening Process 7
How to Complete the Pre-Screening Process
What to Do When Applicants Call
Direct the applicant to the Pre-Screen Application on our website: www.hfhdentoncountry.org.
The applicant can access the Pre-Screen Application by clicking the “Apply Now” button. If the
applicant is denied, the online system will explain the reason why the applicant was denied and
suggest how to resolve the issue. Approved applicants are entered into the pre-approved
database. When there is a lot and build sponsor available, continue the pre-screening process.
How to Complete Required Pre-Screening Documents
Please note that the Habitat for Humanity Denton County’s (HFHDC) online form must place the
applicant in the pre-approved database before the applicant can proceed to this stage. Then,
follow the steps below to make an appointment with applicant to come to HFHDC’s office. At
the appointment, the applicant will complete the following documents:
 Criminal Background Check
 Landlord Verification Form
 Employment Verification Form
 4506-T Form from the IRS
 Habitat International’s Application Form
 Complete Budget Expense Verification Form
How to Submit Personal Information
1. Notify the family in the “Approved Database” by phone or email.
2. Schedule an appointment with the approved family.
3. Request that the family bring documentation to the appointment so you may verify the
information entered on the pre-screen application.
Note: Some applicants will no longer qualify for our program.
4. Check the returned application against the pre-qualification checklist (income, previous
homeownership, citizenship, and so on).
5. Make copies of the following original documents provided by each applicant:
 Driver’s License
 Social Security Card
 Proof of Citizenship or Permanent Residency
 Filed W-2 or 2010 tax forms
 Child support documents (if applicable)
 Bank Statements
 Check stubs from the applicant’s current employer(s)
Note: Submit all documents in person, not by fax or e-mail.
Note: Two income families must provide original documents for each individual applicant.
6. Collect a $25.00 money order or check for the applicant’s credit report.
Note: Allow credit reports that have been processed within the previous three months.
Note: Do not accept cash.

12. 8 How to Complete The Application Process
How to Submit Background Check and Verification Forms
1. Run a Criminal Background Check.
a. Search the shared drive for the “criminal background check” form.
b. Print the “criminal background check” form.
c. Complete the “criminal background check” form.
d. Give the “criminal background check” form to the Office Manager to run the background
check.
2. Complete Landlord Verification Form.
a. Open the “Family Support Committee” folder in shared documents.
b. Print the Landlord Verification Form.
c. Call the applicant’s landlord as provided on the Landlord Verification Form.
d. Ask the landlord to provide their name and contact information.
e. Ask the landlord for a residence verification form.
f. Fax, email, or mail Landlord Verification Form to the landlord.
g. Check the information on the Landlord Verification Form for accuracy when the landlord
returns the form.
h. File the Landlord Verification Form in the applicant’s file.
3. Complete Employment Verification Form.
a. Open the “Family Support Committee” folder in shared documents.
b. Print one of the two forms provided below.
i. Select “employment verification” form if the applicant has worked at this location for
more than six months.
ii. Select “employment-pres-past” form if the applicant has worked at this location for
six months or less.
Note: If there are two applicants, each must fill out separate forms.
c. Call the employer provided on the Employer Verification Form.
d. Fax, e-mail, or mail the Employment Verification Form to the employer.
e. Check the information provided on the Employment Verification Form for accuracy.
f. Place the completed form in the applicant’s file when the employer returns the form to
the office.

13. How to Complete the Pre-Screening Process 9
How to Submit Government Information
1. Collect income tax information from the applicant.
2. Verify that all the information provided matches the pre-screening application.
3. File Request Transcript Form (4506-T) to the IRS for previous tax information.
4. Print Request Transcript Form (4506-T).
5. Request that the applicant fill in the Request Transcript Form (4506-T).
6. Mail the Request Transcript Form (4506-T) to:
RAIVS Team
Stop 6716 AUSC
Austin, TX, 73301
7. Give the applicant the Habitat International Application.
8. Give the applicant the Budget Expense Verification Form to complete.
a. Search for “financial qualifications” in shared documents.
b. Select “budget sheet_Eng_Spanish.”
c. Print the Budget Expense Verification Form .
d. Give the Budget Expense Verification Form to the applicant to complete.
How to Complete the Budget Expense Verification
Request that the applicant complete the Budget Expense Verification Form. A designated Family
Support Services Committee member will review all credit reports to identify faults and credit
usage patterns that applicants may need to address before moving to the application process. If
the applicant’s debt ratio is less than forty percent of their monthly income, allow the family to
continue to the application process. Otherwise, notify the family that they must adjust their
spending habits by working with a support network such as “Giving Hope Inc.” to develop a
budget that supports HFHDC’s debt ratio requirements.

17. How to Complete the Application Process 13
How to Complete the Application Process
How to Complete the Family Review Process
1. Present families that have successfully completed the previous requirements and the pre-
screening process to the Family Support Services Committee (F/S Committee) for
consideration of acceptance into the Habitat for Humanity Denton County (HFHDC)
homeownership program.
2. Receive the review of each individual family’s file from the F/S Committee and the F/S
Manager.
3. Prepare any questions that families would need to address before the F/S Committee further
considers their request for homeownership.
Note: If you have any questions for the family, you may extend the family’s timeline for
consideration.
4. Schedule a home visitation for families who have successfully completed the F/S Committee
review process.
How to Complete Home Visitations
If the file review process is successful, the F/S Committee will select and schedule a family or
families, for home visitations. A F/S Committee member or a HFHDC employee will visit the
applicant to confirm current substandard living conditions. The F/S Committee member or
HFHDC employee will schedule the visit in advance to allow applicants time to prepare.
If the F/S Committee’s home visitation successfully verifies a family’s substandard housing
conditions, the family’s completed file is reviewed and voted on for recommendation to the
Board of Directors (BOD) by the F/S Committee. Otherwise, the F/S Committee will review the
home visit report and may vote to deny the family acceptance into the program.
How to Recommend the Family to the Board of Directors
Steps to the Recommendation Process by the Board of Directors (BOD):
1. Recommend all families chosen by the F/S Committee to the BOD to be voted on for final
approval.
2. Present families to the BOD.
3. Conduct a vote by the BOD after the presentation.
4. Send an acceptance letter, welcoming and explaining the family’s new “Family Partner”
status in the program along with the next steps to homeownership with HFHDC.

18. 14 How to Complete The Application Process
What to Do Once the Family is Completely Reviewed
 The F/S Manager and a member of the Habitat Staff will conduct a home visit to check for
signs of substandard living conditions.
 The F/S Committee will consider the family for a Family Partnership after you present the
family to them.
 The F/S Committee hears about each family, they vote on the family they want to
recommend to the BOD.
 The F/S Manager prepares a summary of the family based on the information provided and
presents it to the BOD.
 The BOD will then vote to accept the family.
 The F/S Committee will send an acceptance letter to the family that contains a schedule of
the following:
o Meet/Greet the F/S Committee
o New Partner Family Orientation which teaches about sweat equity hours and more
o Tentative Workshop Dates that include several need-to-know items that new homeowners
need
Family Services Liaison
After the family has been accepted and we identify the Build Sponsor, ask if the family has
someone who is willing to serve as the family services liaison. The family services liaison will:
 Work closely with the family to ensure that sweat equity hours are completed and submitted
to the Habitat Office in a timely manner
 Help with babysitting the children while the applicant works on his or her sweat equity hours
 Help the family pick out the color of cabinets, light fixtures, and flooring at a hardware store
 Reach out to our partners that assist with providing furniture and household items to the
family

21. How to Collect and Record Sweat Equity Hours 17
How to Collect and Record Sweat Equity Hours
What Are Sweat Equity Hours
Sweat equity hours are hours of labor completed by the applicant and his or her partners in order
to earn their home. Sweat equity hours promote partnership, pride in ownership and development
of knowledge and skills. The applicant must complete:
• 350 sweat equity hours for single applicant families
• 400 sweat equity hours for dual applicant families
• 150 of those hours on their own home
The family services liaison will work closely with the family to ensure that sweat equity hours
are completed and submitted to the Habitat for Humanity Denton County (HFHDC) office in a
timely manner.
How to Collect Sweat Equity Hours
1. Check the sweat equity worksheet for missing information.
2. Check for legibility in all blanks on the sweat equity worksheet.
3. Make a copy of the applicant’s sweat equity worksheet.
4. Stamp the copy of the applicant’s sweat equity worksheet.
5. File the applicant’s sweat equity worksheet in the homeowner binder.
6. Return the original sweat equity worksheet to the applicant.
How to Enter Sweat Equity Hours Online
1. Log into Keystone at: http://morethandata.org/affiliates/.
2. Click on the “Families” Tab.
3. Click on “Family Partners.”
4. Find the “selection” menu.
5. Click on the “Family Partners” dropdown box in the “selection” menu.
6. Select your family.
7. Click the (S/A/F/)/ Demographics/ Family Partnership tab.
8. Look in the box that says “Hours” located in the fourth quadrant.
9. Click on “detail” in the “Hours”.
Note: the next screen will show three sections where hours can be entered.
10. Enter sweat equity hours completed by the people listed on the deed, such as the husband and
wife, in the “By Family Partner(s) for Self” section.
11. Enter sweat equity hours completed by additional family members and friends working on
behalf of the applicants in the “By Others for Family Partner(s)” section.
12. Enter sweat equity hours completed by family partners on another partner family’s home in
the “By Family Partner(s) for Others” section.

22. 18 How to Complete The Application Process
After Sweat Equity Hours Are Completed
The family must pay a $1000 deposit prior to moving into their home. The family can pay this
deposit in a lump sum or in installments. After the family completes sweat equity hours, pays the
deposit, attends the workshops and orientation, and helps to complete the house, HFHDC will
hold a dedication ceremony where HFHDC formally presents the house to the family. HFHDC
will present them with the keys, invite city officials and the build sponsors to speak, and thank
those who have helped on the home. After the family completes the program, the family will
move into their new house.

23. Index 19
Index
4506-T, 7, 9
4506-T Form, 7
Alimony, 4
Board of Directors, 13, 14
BOD, 13
Budget Expense Verification Form, 9
build sponsor, 7
Build Sponsor, 14
build sponsors, 18
Check stubs, 4, 7
Child support, 4, 7
credit rating, 3
criminal background check, 3, 8
Criminal background check, 7
Criminal Background check, 8
debt ratio, 9
Dedication Ceremony, 18
document, 17
Employers, 4
Employment Verification form, 7
Employment Verification Form, 8
F/S Committee, 13, 14
Family Partner, 13, 17
Family Partners, 17
Family Partnership, 14, 17
Family Selection/Support Committee, 14
family services liaison, 3, 14, 17
Family Support Services Committee, 9, 13
first-time homeowner, 3
Food stamps, 4
Habitat for Humanity Denton County, 7
Habitat International, 7, 9
Habitat Office, 14, 17
Habitat Staff, 14
home visit, 13, 14
home visitation, 13
home visitations, 3, 13
homeownership, 3, 7, 13
homeownership program, 3, 13
Keystone, 4, 17
Landlord Verification form, 7
Landlord Verification Form, 8
Landlords, 4
Monthly Living Expense Sheet, 7, 9
new homeowners, 14
New Partner Family Orientation, 14
non-compliance, 3
Office Manager, 8
preapproved databased, 7
pre-qualification, 3, 7
pre-screen application, 7
Pre-Screen Application, 7
pre-screening, 7, 9, 13
Pre-screening, 3
Social security, 4
social security card, 4
Social Security Card, 7
substandard housing, 3, 13
substandard living conditions, 13, 14
sweat equity hours, 3, 14, 17, 18
sweat equity worksheet, 17
Tax returns, 4
The Family Services Manager, 14
US citizenship, 3
W-2, 4, 7