Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity is currently taking applications from families wishing to partner with the organization to build a house.

The houses are sold to the partner family with zero-interest mortgage payments that are plowed back into building more homes for more people in need in the community, according to Melissa Mikul, president of the local Habitat board. Troy-Pike Habitat recently completed a new house build in June and the board is currently seeking applications from families in need of a new home to be built in 2017.

Applications can be obtained either through the Troy-Pike Habitat website, www.troypikehabitat.com, or at the drop box located at 210 Montgomery Street in Troy. The completed applications must be brought in person to the First United Methodist Church, 213 North Three Notch Street, Troy, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2016.

According to Mikul, the eligibility criteria include:

1. The prospective family must be living in substandard housing conditions such as poor heating, plumbing problems, leaky roofs, etc.

2. The family must have an ability to pay. Habitat houses are not given to families. A source of income is required, and a zero-interest mortgage is provided to the family through Habitat for Humanity.

3. The family must agree to put in ‘sweat equity’ in the home. Each partner family is required to work at least 200 hours per adult applicant toward the construction of their home and/or other Habitat projects.

4. The family must have lived in Pike County for at least one year.

Troy-Pike Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people from all walks of life to build and renovate houses for people in need. The organization has built 13 houses in Pike County, providing decent, affordable housing “for families who need a hand up, not a hand out,” said Mikul.

Mikul also said that the board is looking for corporate sponsors to partner with Habitat as it continues its endeavor to eliminate poverty housing in Pike County. Although Habitat has an all-volunteer board, uses some grants, some donated materials, and a lot of volunteer labor in the construction of its house, monetary donations are needed to cover other construction costs.