BELFAST — Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County (HHWC) is currently seeking applications from individuals or families interested in becoming the owners of a yet to be built home.

The group partners with other Waldo County community organizations to build homes for qualified families or individuals in need of appropriate housing.

The 2017 home will be the fourth built by HHWC, according to Meg Klingelhofer, who was named director of the group in September.

There are a number of qualifications to be considered for the program, including living or working in Waldo County, and being in need of suitable housing. There are also income guidelines specifying that the chosen applicant have an income that falls between 30-80 percent of the median Waldo County income. The acceptable income range varies depending on the number of individuals in the respective household.

Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County can be contacted for more specific guidelines.

In addition to the above qualifications, applicants must also be committed to become partners with Habitat for Humanity in the actual construction of the home.

Applicants are required to put in 200 hours of "sweat equity," as it's known in the organization. This means recipients must volunteer 200-plus hours with the group, with 100 of those hours dedicated to the actual building of the home. Klingelhofer noted that accommodations are available to ensure the program is available to everyone, including those with physical limitations.

Despite the availability of the program, the number of applications received by the group hasn't been exceptionally large, according to Klingelhofer.

As for why there aren't more applicants in a community where there seems to be a strong need for affordable housing options, she thinks there are a variety of things to blame.

"What it seems like since I started is that people think they could never own a home," Klingelhofer said. She also said that people can sometimes get hung up on the three criteria, which include: need, willingness to actively engage with the group, and ability to make future payments on the home.

Klingelhoger explained that the "need" requirement is applicable to a fairly wide array of situations, including currently substandard housing, a residence that is too expensive for those living there, and issues of overcrowding.

There is often also a fear that the recipient won't be able to comply with the financial obligations that go along with receiving a new home, though Klingelhofer said there are a number of community programs available to lessen monetary issues.

Additionally, the cost of the home is often substantially more affordable than a typical new home due to donated time, labor and materials, she said.

Habitat for Humanity recently held a discussion at the Belfast City Free Library about affordable housing in the area. Klingelhofer said the group also hoped to inform community members about their options, and the HHWC housing program.

She said that over 30 people attended the meeting, a number she hopes will translate into an increase in applications.

"We're just trying to get the message [about the housing program] wide and far," Klingelhofer said.

The application deadline for this year's program is Feb. 15, after which people are either accepted or denied further progress in the program. If the group determines someone is not currently qualified for the program they are often referred to a community partner who can help prepare them for consideration for a future home from the group.

If multiple applicants qualify to be recipients of the new home, which Klingelhofer says is often the case, the recipient is chosen based on where the need is greatest.

Things that could aid in determining greatest need can include, seriously substandard housing, a large number of people impacted, and the need of extensive repair, among others.

Once a family is chosen, they will have the option of choosing to build their new home on one of three lots already owned by HHWC. Locations include Belfast, Monroe, and Searsport, or an applicant can use family owned land as the location of their new home.

With the deadline fast approaching, Habitat for Humanity is hoping to reach as much of the community as possible.

Anyone interested in applying, or learning more about the program can reach out to Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County via email, phone at 338-2344, or through their Facebook page.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com