Using primarily volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds simple, decent houses in partnership with partner families.  Habitat houses in Hood County are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed by Habitat with affordable, no-interest loans.  The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Habitat fund that is used to build more houses.  Habitat is not a give-away program.  In addition to a down payment of $1,000 and the monthly mortgage payments, each homeowner family must invest 300 hours of their own sweat equity (labor) in the building of their house and the houses of others.  In Hood County, a 3 bedroom house typically costs $75,500. The length of a Habitat mortgage is 20 years.

Families apply directly to Habitat for Humanity of Hood County.  The Family Selection Committee then evaluates homeowners based on their need for decent shelter, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the loan.  Like all affiliates, Habitat for Humanity of Hood County follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.  Neither race, religion, nor national origin is a factor in choosing the families that will partner with Habitat in building a house.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U. S. Policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Habitat houses are attractive, simple and comfortable.  The exterior is Hardiboard siding.  The size depends on the number of people who will be living there.  Houses are sturdily built and designed to be safe and energy-efficient. Central air conditioning and heat, as well as fenced back yards are standard features.

Habitat for Humanity of Hood County accepts applications from families who wish to be considered for a Habitat house.  Announcements of when applications are being accepted are widely distributed in the local newspaper, local churches, local community events, this Web site, and the Habitat newsletter.  Contact us to get more information about becoming a Habitat homeowner.

Remember that you must meet the following requirements:

1. Currently occupying substandard, inadequate or overcrowded housing
2. Have a total family income somewhere between $18,670 and $60,360 per year (adjusted for family size).
3. Be willing and able to make regular monthly payments, around $550-600 (includes taxes and insurance), on your new house and a $700 down payment.
4. Be willing to put in 300 hours of sweat equity (labor) on your house or on the houses of other Habitat partner families.
5. Be willing to live in and become an active member of the neighborhood where Habitat is building houses.

You can contact Habitat for Humanity of Hood County via e-mail, standard mail, or phone.  Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks.  In addition to the actual construction of houses, volunteers may answer the telephone, make speeches, do computer work, assist in mail-outs and many other activities.  If you are able to assist financially, you may do so by sending a contribution to: Habitat for Humanity of Hood County, P. O. Box 1866, Granbury, TX 76048.  For your convenience, an online form is available to help us acknowledge all contributions received by Habitat for Humanity of Hood County.  Habitat also offers options to donate using your credit card and through direct deposit to Habitat’s account from your checking account.  Most importantly, we ask that you join us in prayer for the continued success of the Habitat ministry.

Monetary donations are used to build houses in Hood County.  Program expenses account for about 98 percent (98%) of donations.  Less than 2 percent (2%) of donations represent administrative and fundraising expenses.  Habitat for Humanity of Hood County has no paid staff.  All volunteers work from their homes, or in a small office at our warehouse.  Labor to build the houses is primarily volunteer, with the exception of some paid professional services.  As part of our program expenses, and because we are a Christian ministry, Habitat is dedicated to tithing 10 percent (10%) of the undesignated donations to Habitat for Humanity International for use in building houses globally.  Because of the extremely low cost of building houses in developing countries, since 1996, our Habitat affiliate’s tithe has served over 104 families internationally as of June 30, 2021.