Local Habitat to host homeowner orientation

Habitat for Humanity, a local nonprofit builder, is looking for buyers for homes in the western Cook and Kane County areas.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with low-income families and individuals. The organization offers a hand up, not a hand out, by providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a long-term investment.

The last two Homeowner Orientation nights for the year will be Tuesdays, Oct. 27 and Nov. 24, at the Northern Fox Valley affiliate office, 56 S. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin. Meetings start promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about Habitat for Humanity and its long track record of building affordable housing locally and around the world. In addition, attendees will learn about its homeownership program, current opportunities, the eligibility requirements, selection criteria and more.

Those interested in applying must earn between $23,000 and $57,000 annually (amounts vary based on family size), have lived or worked in the Northern Fox Valley service area for at least one year, and be willing to work on the construction of their home alongside volunteers.

To qualify, you cannot currently own a home and, if you have owned a home in the past, it must be at least three years since a foreclosure, bankruptcy or short-sale.

Applicants must attend an information session to receive a homeowner application. Registration is required. When you register, you will receive a frequently asked questions sheet with more information on our homeownership program, as well as a self-assessment questionnaire to complete prior to orientation.

To register, call Connie Kitzinger, family services coordinator, at (847) 836-1432.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is one of eight Habitat affiliates in the Chicago area. Founded in 1990, Northern Fox Valley currently focuses its efforts on transforming existing foreclosed and abandoned houses that are devaluing our neighborhoods into safe, decent, and affordable homes for partner families in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago.

Northern Fox Valley also helps approximately 30 homeowners annually through the "A Brush With Kindness" exterior home repair program, and has kicked off a Critical Home Repair program in 2015 as well. Now in its 25th year, Northern Fox Valley has completed 96 new construction and rehabilitation projects in Carpentersville, Elgin, St. Charles and the surrounding area, 43 of which have been funded through proceeds from ReStore Elgin.

For details, call (847) 836-1432 or visit habitatnfv.org. For information about ReStore Elgin, call (847) 742-9905 or visit restorelgin.org.