People Attempting to Help (PATH) and Habitat for Humanity are forming a partnership, representatives announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
"This is a path toward a future so many can only dream about: home ownership," Jack Wilson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, said.
The new partnership won't look drastically different from what the nonprofits are doing now, Greg Grubb, executive director of PATH, said.
The new partnership will replace Habitat for Humanity's traditional application process with PATH's recommended candidates. Possible homeowners will be evaluated by their success in PATH's transitional housing program and family development and support programs; income requirements; willingness to partner with PATH and Habitat in resolving past credit issues; completing educational requirements of both PATH and Habitat; completing Habitat's sweat equity requirements; and commitment to terms of Habitat's 30-year interest-free mortgage to purchase a Habitat built home.
Habitat will make the final decision on which individual or family is accepted into Habitat's home ownership program.
Currently, one participating family is approved for a home this year and two more families are anticipated to achieve that goal by year's end.
Cheresa Monmouth is one of the homeowners. She, her 18-year-old and her 16-year-old are scheduled to receive Habitat's 100th home at the beginning of November.
"Thank you for allowing me and my family to be part of your lives," she said to the Habitat and PATH representatives. "It's a journey we will never forget."