The Selma branch of Habitat for Humanity hopes to make dreams of home ownership come true through Thursday’s open applications.

The applications, executive director Nina Capps said, will take place at 801 Alabama Ave., on the second floor, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To avoid long lines, and disappointment, Capps asked prospective applicants to be sure they qualify before coming to the office.

“Basically, they need a job,” she said. “A lot of people think Habitat gives homes away, but it is an actual mortgage, they just don’t pay interest.”

Because volunteers build the home, the homes are more affordable because there are no labor costs.

“It’s a hand up, but it’s not a hand out,” Capps said. “They still have to pay the mortgage, which is usually about 20 years, but we can go to 25 based on someone’s income.”

While mortgage payments are based on income, Capps said it is not the same as Section 8 housing.

“They have to have a minimum wage job at 40 hours a week,” she said. “And there are also credit checks. We have a lot of people that apply that are on disability, or are on unemployment, and it’s just not possible for them to pay for a house if they are getting a certain amount and they have very little left over after the payment.”

Applicants will pay a $10 fee to cover the credit checks and also need a form of identification and proof of income through W-2s.

Once the applications are submitted, Capps said they are reviewed by Family Support and graded as A, B, or C. Those who score As are interviewed and have an in-home visit.

Other applicants are sent a letter informing them of their status.

Reviews take about six to eight weeks, Capps said.

The program hopes to offer two houses this year, Capps said.

Habitat is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.

For more information on housing or volunteer opportunities, call 872-4409.