The average length of a Habitat mortgage in the United States is 20 years. Sweat equity reduces the monetary cost of the house, increases the personal stake of the family members in their house, and fosters the development of partnerships with other people in the community. The amount of sweat equity required of each partner family in Tennessee is typically 500 hours. Families in need apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee considers applicants' level of need, their willingness to become partners in the Habitat program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan.
Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection.
Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat homeowner families. Donations, whether to a local Habitat affiliate or to HFHI headquarters, are used as designated by the donor. Gifts received by HFHI headquarters that are designated to a specific affiliate or building project are forwarded to that affiliate or project. Habitat does not accept Federal government funds for the construction of new houses or for the renovation or repair of existing houses. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation.