Do you have strong communication skills? Do you want to empower low-income families? Do you have the compassion and sensitivity to work with families from diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds?
Then you may be the perfect fit for Habitat Tucson’s Selection Committee!
What is the Selection Committee?
The Selection Committee supports Habitat’s mission to create strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Selection Committee members assist with a crucial step of the process–determining our next cohort of Prospective Homeowners who will participate in Habitat’s Homeownership Program.
Habitat Tucson’s Family Selection Committee selects homebuyers based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need
- The willingness to partner with Habitat
- The ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan
Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homebuyers, in addition to paying an affordable mortgage and receiving financial education.
What are the responsibilities of a Selection Committee Volunteer?
Selection Committee Volunteers play an intricate role in helping Habitat families begin their journey to homeownership. Some of the responsibilities include:
- perform outreach throughout the community in order to solicit applications;
- prescreen prospective applicants and invite them to Information Sessions;
- understand the importance of and carry out the home visits with other Committee members (Home Visit Team Members);
- attend 3 homeowner events during the year (such as home dedications)
- understand and follow Fair Housing regulations, Equal Opportunity Lending, Privacy Laws, and all other legal requirements.
The Habitat Tucson team will work alongside you every step of the way! Even if some of these responsibilities are new to you, you will be equipped with training and support to help you succeed as a volunteer.
What are the time commitments?
During the selection process, Selection Committee volunteers are asked to give a minimum of 20 hours. The committee meets quarterly throughout the selection process, and the selection process may occur several times throughout the year. Generally, Selection Committee members serve renewable two-year term limits.