Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Family Selection Committee

Strong partner families are essential to the success of Habitat East Bay (HEB). They are the living, breathing realization of HEB’s mission. Family Selection Committee (FSC) volunteers select the capable and committed families who go on to become responsible homeowners, engaged community members and the living legacy of the Habitat model. Homeowners have greater stability, reach higher in their careers and education, and feel more in control of their lives and futures. The FSC spreads this message and identifies families who are ready to take on the responsibility of homeownership through Habitat.

As HEB increases the number of homes built each year, the FSC continues to expand its capacity to target and identify qualified applicants. Just as important as the homebuyers who the FSC selects is the recruitment, attraction and education of low-income, first time homeowners who learn about HEB at orientations and through outreach. The FSC counsels families who don’t meet HEB’s criteria and connects them to financial counseling to build stronger applicants and more informed communities.
The FSC continually revisits its procedures and policies to evaluate how well they serve HEB’s mission and the needs of low-income families.

FSC volunteers evaluate homeowner applicants to determine:

• Ability to pay by assessing  applicants’ income and credit history;
• Need for housing by conducting  home interviews;
• Willingness to partner by assessing applicants’ commitment to sweat equity, community building and compliance with other program requirements.

Recent activites include:

• In 2008, the FSC selected 18 families for homeownership at developments in East Oakland, Alameda, and Brentwood.
• In 2009, HEB will continue building in East Oakland and will select new owners for refurbished homes across the East Bay. FSC will conduct outreach and selection for all of these sites.

Other activities FSC volunteers are involved with:

• Outreach to attract new applicants
• Facilitate & staff orientation meetings for new potential volunteers
• Bilingual members interpret in-home interviews and/or communicate with applicants
• Review and recommend FSC policies and procedures

Interested? Contact Homeowner@HabitatEB.org or 510-251-6304 ext 365.