Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity will host Home Ownership Sessions Friday to better explain how the process works.
Executive Director Jeremy Byrd said the organization wants to build more homes in Dekalb County, after merging with the local group earlier this year. Byrd said they hope to start a home next spring.
“We need to get as many applicants as possible,” Byrd said. “That way we can see who’s qualified and get that through our process to get those approved so that they can begin the Partnership Program that we have to be eligible to be home buyers.”
Byrd said the sessions have a question and answer format, so attendees can ask questions about the housing project or low income home ownership. Byrd said the sessions outline the qualifications through the non-profit.
Byrd said he also hopes to clarify some common misconceptions about Habitat, for example, that the organization gives away homes to anyone.
“There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what exactly Habitat for Humanity does and how we help community members,” Byrd said. “And so one of the things we want to do is introduce our work and what we do and what we don’t do.”
Byrd said home prices in the Upper Cumberland have skyrocketed over the last several years. Byrd said between March of 2020 and 2025, local prices have almost doubled.
“Affordable housing is not really out there in abundance right now,” Byrd said. “So we’re trying to help out as many people as we can through our program thanks to the donors and sponsors that work with us to make that happen.”
Byrd said he hopes attendees leave the session knowing how to apply for the new low income houses the organization plans on building. He said they also hope to explain how home ownership works. Byrd said Habitat plans to build multiple homes in Dekalb County over the coming years.
Friday’s session will be the first step, Byrd said, in Habitat’s hands-on partnership with prospective home owners. Byrd said Director of Homeowners Services Maren Bader acts as an available resource for applicants.
“The application process can be daunting,” Byrd said. “I mean, you’re essentially applying for a mortgage. If you’ve never bought a home that can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of financial questions and a lot of things that really maybe you’re not used to having to answer.”
The sessions take place at 12pm and 5pm at the First Baptist Church, 101 W. Church Street.
